Great Careers – Dental Assistant

Every year, new tools and products are invented to make oral care easier for Americans. Some recent inventions include rechargeable oscillating toothbrushes; stainless steel barbs, similar to dental floss; and whitening strips that prevent plaque while brightening tooth enamel. The demand for innovative oral care products is high, in part because many more Americans are realizing the importance of good oral health.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), government projects have continued to increase preventive dental care efforts for younger generations. Additionally, the Baby Boomer generation, the first group of Americans to grow up drinking fluoridated water, will be more likely to keep their natural teeth, rather than wear dentures into old age. This group is also about to retire, which means there will be a surge of openings in the fields of oral health and medicine.

However, dental school can be expensive. It is a four-year graduate school, so students must complete bachelor’s programs of more than four years before even approaching dental education. This educational program has a competitive and academically challenging environment similar to medical school, and many dental schools’ prices are comparable to medical school as well. To enter, students must prepare during college with rigorous courses in calculus, organic and inorganic chemistry, physics, and biology, similar to a premedical education. These classes can be very difficult, and sometimes even the smartest students can’t handle the rigor.

Fast and Affordable Training: Dental Assisting School

Students who want to get into the workforce right away without shelling out a lot of money for college and career school should consider a career as a dental assistant. The schooling process for these majors can vary from six months to two years, depending on the program and whether the student works full-time or part-time. Because school dental assisting programs are shorter in duration, they are less expensive than college. By enrolling in these quick and low-cost programs, students can avoid going into too much debt.

Unlike graduate schools, which generally don’t leave students with time to work while they take classes, dental assisting school classes are flexible, giving students the option of working full or part-time. Supplementing school with work is a great way to avoid debt, and it might be even more important in today’s college financial environments. More and more students attending four-year schools are proudly competing for less lenient loans from the government; others turn to private loans to finance large tuition fees. Many students will pay off their college and graduate school loans well into middle age. However, dental assisting students will not have to deal with these financial burdens; in fact, most will be able to recoup their entire school tuition within the first five years of employment.

To be successful in this program, students must take biology, math, and English classes in high school. These courses will help students develop a strong understanding of human anatomy and foster the critical thinking skills necessary for successful work in the dental field. After entering school, students who study hard, participate in class, and exceed minimum expectations during their internships or school-sponsored internships are likely to be the most successful dental assistants.

Dental assistants can go far on the job

The job duties of dental assistants can vary, depending on whether a student works in a small family oral care practice, a large university dental center, or another work setting entirely. The primary role of a dental assistant is to assist the dentist with the patient’s procedures; most professionals will also help with patient record keeping and other general office work.

One of the most important job duties of a dental assistant is infection control. This job role involves keeping dental instruments and materials sterile so that patients do not become infected with harmful microbes. Dental assistants also make sure patients are comfortable while procedures are being performed and make sure their mouths are unobstructed and free of excess saliva so the dentist can work. Other job duties commonly performed by dental assistants include mixing dental amalgams, gels, and materials; organization and maintenance of dental patient files; and scheduling dental appointments. Some assistants may be allowed to develop x-rays or advise patients on oral health techniques, depending on the rules of the state in which they are employed.

One of the best attributes of a dental assistant career is the flexibility of the job. While many dental assistants work full time, some work three-quarters or half the time, allowing them to pursue independent careers, raise children, or volunteer in their spare time. Some part-time positions even pay benefits, according to practice. Also, with a little extra education, dental assistants can work as hygienists (this position features higher pay and more challenging job duties) or they can work selling dental supplies and services. With additional business or art courses, some students may even pursue marketing or design and branding for dental companies.

Students looking for rewarding careers with short and inexpensive training times may want to consider dental assisting. With job growth projected to be much faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and starting salaries well above food service and retail jobs, these careers can really take off!