Dental Assistant

Dental assistant jobs are easy to acquire through certificate programs and courses. Since this is one of the fastest growing jobs in the market today, a lot of employment opportunities are available for people working already or evaluating getting into this field. Likewise, a growing number of continuing education courses for dental assistants have also sprung up. These continuing education courses for Dental Assistants focus on improving the skills and hand on experience. With the help of programs, already established dental assistants gain exposure and experience in handling more complex not to mention lucrative dental procedures. Another big plus of these continuing education courses is that they help you take a few steps closer to becoming actual dentists in a few years’ time.

Continuing Education Schools

There are a wide variety of places in which one can find continuing education courses for dental assistants. These include vocational and technical schools, dental schools tied up with health care establishments, as well as online educational institutions. The programs offered in these schools are similar to basic certification dental assistant training programs, but the lessons are more advanced and more detailed especially when it comes to technical work.

In continuing education courses for dental assistants, the common subjects include:

• How to make crowns, dentures and other dental accessories to be worn by patients
• First aid and other health care protocols and procedures
• Chair-side assistance
• Infection control methods
• Laboratory procedures
• Tooth morphology
• Microbiology
• Dental psychology
• Preventive dentistry and nutrition

How to Choose a Dental Assistant Continuing Education Course

There are different ways to choose a continuing education course for dental assistants. To those who are looking for a course that would suit best to their needs, they may consider the following factors:

• Variety of subjects - Continuing courses offer mostly advanced levels of the subjects tackled in certification programs; it is then up to the student which courses to take based on their level of skills and aptitude for the job. Some subjects may be able to enhance their skills, especially those that deal with technical applications.
• Training sessions - How are the classes conducted? Online classes may be more helpful for individuals who want to enhance their office administration and patient database management skills, as well as theoretical learning, while courses in vocational schools and dental health care establishments provide better hands on training.
• Class schedules - It is thus best to choose a class that won’t get in the way of work schedules, either before the shift or after shift.
• Education costs - Like basic dental assistant certification programs, continuing education courses are also affordable on the budget. However, it is still best to choose the program that offers the best lineup of subjects so that the student would be able to get the most out of his tuition money.

Advantages of a Continuing Education Course

Taking up continuing education courses for dental assistants offers a wide variety of perks. This not only help in an increase in salary but also assists in getting a promotion at your current job. If nothing else, you will definitely see and get better job opportunities even if you are a entry level dental assistant. Through continuing education courses, dental assistants understand and experience various areas within the job and the area that they would like to specialize in. This in turn helps you to super specialize in your area of interest and acquire specialized skills, knowledge and experience all of which come in handy in taking your career to the next level.

Dental Assistant Wages

Continuing with our series on Dental Assistants, today, let’s take a look at the wages/salary of a dental assistant. For those that are interested in our previous coverage, take a look at what is a dental assistant, why become a dental assistant, how to become a dental assistant, jobs and duties of a dental assistant and finding the right school.

Dental assistant jobs have grown to be in demand during the recent years not only because of the increased openings in various medical and dental establishments but also because of the great pay packet and the perks that are part of the job. People who work as dental assistants get to enjoy relatively higher salary packages than those in other health care professions, not to mention lesser working hours and more relaxed environments.

Dental Assistant Salary Data

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants received a median annual salary of $32,380 as of May 2008. The middle 50% have earned somewhere between $26,980 and $38960, while the lower 10% earned $22,270, while the highest 10% earned above $46,150.

The salary for dental assistants is expected to rise by 36% by 2016, based on the growing demand for employees in this position, as well as the expanding markets in the field of medical and dental care.

Benefits and Other Perks

Like other employees, dental assistants are entitled to benefits packages especially when they have been accepted to regular employment. Life, health and retirement benefits may be received, as well as paid holidays and vacations.

Better benefits are given to dental assistants with more experience than those in entry level positions; packages vary by practice setting, nature of employment and geographic location. Dental assistants who work in places where the job is in demand get to receive better benefits, as well as discounts in dental jobs and instant access to dental services.

Salary Determinants

The salaries of dental assistants vary on the following factors:

• Education and training. Unlike the past decades wherein dental assistants are not required to take up a related course in order to get into the position, these days most dental care establishments require applicants to provide proof of training through dental assistant certification programs. Those who have graduated from certificate courses are more likely to get better compensation packages than those who did not.
• On-the-job experience. Dental assistants also get to receive better salary packages when they are more experienced in fulfilling the duties and responsibilities for the said position. This is because they no longer have to be instructed by their superiors and can work on the operations on their own.
• Nature of employer. In areas and establishments where dental assistants are not very much in demand, salaries and benefits also tend to be lower, as compared to fields where they are sought after. Public health care facilities offer lower salaries to dental assistants, but the benefits are much better, while there are private health care establishments that offer only basic benefits but higher monetary compensation.

How to Prepare for the Job

To those who are interested in becoming dental assistants, it is recommended to take up certificate courses in dental care assistance which would last for a few months to a year depending on the school. Theses course offer both in-class and laboratory training. Upon finishing the dental assistant training program, each graduates will receive a certificate of completion which would then serve as their ticket to better career opportunities. An individual with a dental assistant training course certificate will have a better edge in getting hired since Dentists are looking for staff that is both knowledgeable and have hand on experience on the job as compared to those who have no specific experience just yet.

References

• http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm#earnings

How to find a Dental Assistant School

So you’ve decided that becoming a dental assistant is your preferred career choice. After understanding how you can go about to become a dental assistant it is important to also find the right school to help establish your credentials for a rewarding career. At the time of writing this article there are over 269 dental assistant courses are offered by various schools and health care establishments to help individuals become better qualified for the position of a dental assistant. During the past few years the demand for dental assistants has increased rapidly due to the growing health care and dental care markets and such job positions offer very good salary and benefits packages.

But what makes up the right dental assistant school? Interested job seekers may turn to different areas to find the school that suits them best, as well as the right type of dental assistant course to take. At present they can find dental assistant courses in vocational schools or junior colleges, health care establishments such as hospitals, and through online universities.

Vocational Schools/Junior Colleges

Most dental assistant courses are offered in vocational schools and junior colleges, and these consist of certificate programs that last from at least three months to as much as a full year depending on the course of study. The courses offered in these schools offer the basics of dental assistance, office administration and secretarial work, as well as cleaning and maintenance procedures required in health care establishments.

The good thing about studying in vocational schools is that students receive both in-class lectures and hands-on training, and they are as well subject to weeks of internships at partner health care establishments. Graduates of such courses get to receive a certificate which they can present once they start hunting for jobs.

Health Care Establishments

There are health care establishments which offer specialized dental assistant training courses which are shorter and more in tuned with hands on training. Students get to become interns learn the ways of working as actual dental assistants, thus they become knowledgeable in dental operations and activities.

What makes health care establishment courses more edgy than that of vocational schools is they offer immediate work opportunities to students, thus saving the latter from spending time looking for job openings after graduation. Some establishments also offer their courses for free; however, students who take this opportunity are more or less required to render free service in the establishment for a number of hours upon graduation.

Online Universities

There are a number of online universities that offer dental assistant courses. Students get to learn the basics through modules, webinars and other online communication channels. While these courses are cheaper and more mobile, they lack the hands-on training offered by vocational schools and health care establishments. To compensate for the lack of direct experience as part of the coursework, many online universities require students to go out and seek internships themselves.

Benefits of Dental Assistant Schools

Dental assistant schools are cheaper in terms of education costs and they provide better returns of investment as compared to other health care courses. Regardless of where the student underwent training, graduating from such course would qualify him or her for actual dental assistant jobs in both private clinics and bigger health care establishments.

To help decide which dental assistant school to enroll in, prospective students may want to consider the costs of tuition, curriculum and coursework, as well as the hours required for them to finish the program so that they can land that dream dental assistant job at the soonest possible time.

Overview of the various Dental Assistant Courses

Dental assistant certification programs cover a number of courses, all of which  are essential when it comes to actual work. These courses cover different tasks performed in dental clinics and office operations.  Aspiring dental assistants are required to be knowledgeable in these areas so that they would be able to fulfill their duties properly and efficiently.

There are different types of dental assistant courses, and these include:

• Medical terminology
• Patient records management and office administration
• X-ray imaging
• Facial anatomy
• Basic Sanitation
• Basic Dental Care

Medical Terminology

Dental assistant certification programs offer an intensive training course on medical terminology. This is essential as dental assistants would encounter a lot of medical terms and medical jargon used in the field. Being knowledgeable with these terms would speed up their work in the clinic. It is important to be in sync with your Dentist as and when he or she uses various medical terms especially during dental procedures.

Medical terminology does not necessarily only refer to scientific names but could refer to instruments, procedures and other related phrases.

Records Management and Office Administration

Records management and basic office administration are also tackled in dental assistant certification programs. In this course students are taught how to gather, organize and store patient records and contacts as well as file bills and receipts for procurement of dental supplies and other equipment used in the clinic. Records management in a dental setting also touches on reading and documenting patient conditions for easier reference.

Dentists rely heavily on dental assistants when it comes to checking patient records, as this would speed up with access to learning about their patients’ conditions so that they would know how to provide the right care and treatment during a dental operation.

X-ray Imaging

While not all dental clinics offer X-ray imaging services, dental assistants are taught to use proper X-ray imaging devices, handle films and records as well as other related tasks as these would come handy once they work in bigger health care facilities or when helping dentists with their research.

Facial Anatomy

Dental assistant training programs also provide a course on facial anatomy since this would educate students about the parts of the face that are essential to dental work. Through this course students will be able to distinguish the bone structure, organ positions and other vital information related to dental procedures, and in turn become more capable of assisting dentists during operations.

Basic Sanitation

Sanitation courses are rather short and sometimes incorporated with office administration subjects. In essence, it teaches students how to clean and maintain a dental clinic before, during and after office hours, including cleaning and disinfecting tools and instruments, disposing rubbish, operating machines, etc.

Basic Dental Care Management

Dental assistant certification programs also provide a class in dental care management. In this class, students are taught about the basic and advanced oral health care tips, tools and materials so that they can properly assist patients in post-dental care procedures, including the use of special brushes, flosses, and other dental care products.

So there you have it. The above are pretty much the various courses you can look forward to if you are signing up for your dental assistant certification program. If you are still undecided about whether becoming a dental assistant is the right choice for you then maybe reading why become a dental assistant and how to become a dental assistant might help you make up your mind

Writing a resume for a Dental Assistant Job

The job of a dental assistant is not only good in terms of salary and career opportunity but it is also quite rewarding due to the relaxed work environment and absence of stress and pressure during dental activities and procedures. In our last article, we explore the reason why become a dental assistant in the first place. Given the high demand for individuals to work on this position, applicants have as well grown in great numbers, in turn making the competition stiffer than ever. It is thus best to be prepared when applying for a dental assistant position, and it all begins with an effective resume.

Like in any other employment opportunity, applicants for dental assistant jobs are required to submit a resume so that employers would have a rundown of their curriculum vitae at first glance. Writing an effective dental assistant resume is important as this would serve as the applicant’s main ticket to success.

Sample Resume for a Dental Assistant

When writing a resume for a dental assistant position, one should be able to come up with effective organization of facts so that the employer would be able to look at the right information at the right places. A good sequencing for a sample dental assistant resume would be

1. Career objectives (answer to the question “Why Should We Hire You?”)

2. Work experience related to dental assistance (if any)

3. Education (Dental Assistant Certification on top, followed by college, high school and grade school education in a descending order)

4. Other work experiences (not related to dental assistance work)

5. Skills, interest and personal information

6. Character references

Contact information should be placed beside the photo of the applicant’s resume, or at the heading under the applicant’s full name. This would give the employer the applicant’s contact and identification details in an instant and not spend time looking for them in the succeeding pages.

Career Highlights

For seasoned dental assistants applying in new companies or establishments, it would be helpful if they highlight their previous dental assistant jobs in the first page of their resume, so that their prospective employers would be able to browse on their accomplishments right away. Awards and recognitions, seminars and conferences attended by the applicant may be placed under the company he or she has previously worked for, as well as the number of years they have spent in duty.

For entry level applicants, since they have no career highlights to include yet, they may list down the accolades they have acquired during their dental assistant training program. These may include their completion of the course, related seminars they have attended, and recognitions for their work during internship, lab presentations or special competitions.

Listing such information in the resume is helpful as it gauges the applicant’s competency in the job. Employers would be able to come up with a better decision in considering the applicant for the position given the accomplishments he or she has achieved while in their previous company or during training.

Resume Attachments

When submitting a resume, it is also important to attach certain documents as proof of having attended seminars or completed programs necessary for the position. These include certificates of having completed a dental assistant training program, or attendance in seminars and conferences related to the job. These papers can be scanned and sent together in online applications as email attachments, or included in an envelope for walk-in applications.

This article is a continuation of our series on Dental Assistants. We started off with what is a dental assistant, next we profiled the jobs and responsibilities of a dental assistant and lastly we explored the options you have on how to become a dental assistant. In this article we are going to look at why become a dental assistant in the first place.

There are many reasons people these days want to become dental assistants. Aside from the job growing with a fast demand during the past few years, it also serves as a training ground for individuals who wish to become accomplished dentists in the future. Getting a degree in dentistry and orthodontics can be quite expensive and may take years to fulfill, thus working as a dental assistant offers better hands on training at a cheaper cost.

Dental Assistant Career Projections

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an expected 36% increase of demand for dental assistants by the year 2016. This is due to the growing demand for dental care professionals in various medical establishments, and in turn they need assistants to provide administrative help and hands on assistance to their operations.

While there are dentists who prefer experienced dental assistants, entry level positions will continue to become available particularly for graduates of certificate programs in dental assistance.

How much do Dental Assistant’s make?

Dental assistants generally receive a good salary package. It can range anywhere between $25,000 and $50,000 per year. Entry level dental assistants may receive lower salaries depending on their employer, but those who receive median earnings can easily provide for their respective families.

There are also geographic locations that play a big role when it comes to salary packages. Cities where there is a huge demand will often pay a higher salary package to dental assistants regardless of their experience. Those who are just beginning to explore the industry may find good work opportunities in such areas and even receive promotions in a relatively shorter period of time.

Workload of a Dental Assistant

Unlike other medical assistant positions, dental assistants have shorter working hours but still receive good pay. They are not subject to face medical emergencies and other urgent medically related issues since most patients come by appointment. Regardless of the environment they work for, dental assistants have far less work pressure to deal with and can relatively be more relaxed while at work as compared to other medical assistant professions.

Dental assistants can also work part-time since their workload is typically not as heavy when compared to other medical assistants. Some dental assistants may only be required to work on call, i.e, only when the dentist has a patient to care of.

Perks of being a Dental Assistant

Most dental assistants receive various perks aside from good salary and relaxed working hours. These include:

• Discounted dental services. Dental assistants are entitled to discounts in various dental services such as tooth extraction, RCT, placement of braces, retainers or dentures, and dental cleaning.

• Instant access to dental services. They get priority service in the dental establishment they work for as compared to regular patients.

• On-the-job training. Dental assistants undergo actual dental training and exposure thanks to their job. They can thus use these applications once they opt to take up advanced dental studies and become dentists in a few years’ time.

• Paid holidays and vacation. Dental assistants also receive compensation during vacation days and holidays, depending on the establishment they work for.

• Better human interaction. Dental assistants not only serve as aides to dentists; they are also assigned in building rapport with their patients so that they would stay relaxed during and after a dental operation, and through this they get to meet new people and make new friends while on the job.

References

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm#nature

What are the Duties and Responsibilities of a Dental Assistant?

The job of a dental assistant may sound easy. The belief and thinking is that a dental assistants job duties and responsibilities cannot be difficult and hence there will be much less pressure on the job when compared to other health care assistance positions. This might have been true a while back but like we mentioned in our article on “How to become a Dental Assistant“, these days a dental assistant is expected to do much more. Not just do much more but because of all the added responsibilities, one has to undergo months of training and coursework in order to be even considered for a position.

Getting back to the roles and duties, general speaking, dental assistants serve as an aide or helpers to dentists and orthodontists. They assist dentists in performing various dental procedures and operations and make sure that the activities inside the dental clinic or office are conducted properly and accordingly.

Clinical Duties of a Dental Assistant

• While a dental assistant does not have the license to actually perform any kind of dental procedure, dental assistants work inside dental clinics by preparing the tools, equipment and machines that will be used during a procedure. They are also present during routine dental service type of activities where they assist the dentist in handing out tools and keeping the patient relaxed while the dentist is performing the necessary tasks.

• Dental assistants also provide to the needs of patients after a dental operation by handing out their medications and providing oral care tips and hygiene materials. This goes a long way in reducing the workload of the dentists.

• Dental assistants are also in-charge with cleaning the clinic not only after a dental job but also during office hours. They clean and sterilize instruments, dispose used gloves, tissues or bandages, and disinfect the whole area at the end of the day. They are also in charge of operating dental machines and equipment before and after these are used.

• They also assist in making crowns, conduct X-ray procedures, apply topical creams and rubber pads on the tongue and gums of the patients prior to a dental job.

Administrative Duties of a Dental Assistant

Dental assistants also take charge of different office workloads inside a dental clinic. These include:

• Filing of records – Dental assistants receive, file and organize records of previous and current patients, medical bills, procurement of medications and materials, as well as other subscribed services by their dentists. It is important that they know how to keep records and bills properly in order to maintain steady and efficient operations inside the dental clinic.

• Arrange patient appointments – Dental assistants also take calls from clients and manage their appointments depending on the availability of the dentist. They also keep patient contact details for follow-ups.

• Storage of materials and equipment – Dental assistants manage the different needs of dentists, such as the materials for making crowns and dentures, medications, instruments used during dental procedures, and other necessary items. They also keep records of the materials stored in the clinic and keep tabs on when to order new items.

• Receptionists – Dental assistants also act as receptionists, and it is their responsibility to make sure that their patients are kept comfortable and at ease whenever they come to the clinic, as it is a common notion for patients to be afraid of dentists.

The duties and responsibilities of dental assistants may seem a lot but with proper knowledge and adequate training these tasks will not be quite as difficult as it sounds. Unlike other health care assistance jobs, people in this occupation are not exposed to medically related pressure situations or emergencies and therefore get to enjoy a more relaxed working environment.

References

• http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm#nature

Previously we talked about what is a Dental Assistant. Let us now look at how you can go about becoming one. Dental assistant jobs are becoming more and more in demand in the medical employment industry especially during the recent years mainly because of the boom in population, the increased demand for good dental assistants and the appeal of the job responsibilities and tasks that a typical dental assistant performs in a dental clinic or office. Dental Assistants also perform specific activities that cannot be done by simple medical assistants or aids. Dental assistants have slowly but surely become indispensable and of significant help to dentists and other dental care professionals.

Ways to Become a Dental Assistant

There are generally two approaches you can take in order to become a dental assistant. One is through on-the-job training, which was quite common especially during the past decade. Back then, dental assistants were not required to undergo formal training since all they had to do was perform tasks handed out to them by the dentists they work for. During those times a dental assistants main duties included preparing the instruments and equipment for a dental procedure, cleaning up the dental area and disposing of used materials and assisting the dentist in performing a procedure with a patient.

But over the years the scope of the dental assistant has extended to administrative and secretarial duties as well as procurement and logistics which back then were handled by dentists themselves. Given that the job now entails more rigid organization and more specific dental assistance duties, certification programs for dental assistants have now become the norm. Many schools and medical establishments provide training and certification to interested students wanting to pursue a career as a dental assistant.

Dental Assistant Certification Programs

In the United States alone, there are already around 269 dental assistant certification programs which can be evaluated up by individuals interested in the job. These programs teach the basics dental assistance work as well as administrative duties inside a dental clinic or establishment. These programs are provided by vocational schools, junior colleges and some medical institutions as well. Most dental assisting courses run between four months to a full year.

Dental assistant certification programs cover mostly the following lessons:

• Preparation, cleaning and maintenance of dental tools, equipment and clinic
• Protocol in assistance during dental work and operations
• Office administration including filing of records, organization of contacts and preparing other important paperwork
• Providing patient care before, during and after undergoing dental operations

Graduates of dental assistance education programs are awarded with a certificate which they have to show when applying for job positions in the field. Some states do not require certification while others have more stringent rules in accepting aspiring dental assistants.

Other Educational Requirements

Those who have not taken up a course in dental assistance but would like to work as a dental assistant can apply to become dental assistants through on-the-job training provided that they are knowledgeable in any of the following fields:

• Basic medical care
• Office administration and secretarial work
• General dentistry (undergraduates of the said course may qualify for the job)

Career Opportunities

The demand for dental assistants is on a continuous rise particularly in expanding health care establishments and industries. An individual working as a dental assistant position can easily look forward to make close to $33,000 each year. It also opens up more career options as they use their jobs as a stepping stone towards more advanced dental careers in the event they do aspire to become actual dentists in the near future.

References

• http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm

Simply put, A dental assistant is a person who assists a dentist.

Dental Assistant Job Description

A dental assistant is required to perform variety of tasks right from collecting the patient’s record and maintaining them, fix appointments, manage payments and maintain account details as well as stock maintenance etc. Once a patient arrives, it is the duty of the dental assistant to prepare the patient for the treatment by making the patient comfortable. When the treatment is going on, the dental assistant does the assisting job of supplying the needed tools to the dentist as required. The dental assistant also does the suction job to keep the patient’s mouth dry to enable the doctor to continue with the patient’s treatment.

Additional tasks include the sterilization of the equipments used. In case of x-rays to be taken, it is the dental assistant who does the job. Their tasks even includes cleaning and filling the teeth. They also mix needed compounds as required by the dentist. The job also requires duties in the laboratory in making crowns, tooth casts as well as removing sutures etc.
The dental assistants usually work in clinics, hospitals, dental schools and private offices. They are responsible for making the patient aware of oral health care.

Dental Assistant Training and Certification

With an ever increasing demand, it is becoming essential for a student to undergo a formal training and obtain certification to become a dental assistant. The Commission of Dental Accreditation (CODA) recognizes over 280 programs, which are one-year long programs. There are short time programs ranging from 4 to 6 months. Though these programs offer good training on sharpening the skills, these are not accredited. There are however, 2-year courses, which offer an associate degree. So, depending on the state, after completion of this accredited dental courses, one is supposed to take the exam conducted by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and acquire the Certified Dental Assistant certification (CDA).

Some employers though are just satisfied with a high school degree and they give on the job training in all the tasks and skills involved in a dental assistant job such as dental terminology, instrument operation and maintenance, patient care, etc.

Dental Assistant Salary and Job Prospects

The salary range of a dental assistant is between $32,000 and $40,000 a year depending upon the certification and experience. It also includes additional perks like health insurance and paid vacations. One has to check the programs available and choose the most suitable course to become a dental assistant to get the maximum benefit out of the career.

Job opportunities are increasing day by day for dental assistants. According to the BLS, a 36% growth in this field should happen by the year 2018. All in all a good time to think about becoming a dental assistant.