Why Select A Dental Assisting Career

By Susan Bean

Job Vacancies, Jobs Vacancy, Employment Jobs

As with most professions in the medical industry, a Dental Assisting Career is highly sought in today's market. They serve as assistants with patient care, work in the office, and provide support to complete laboratory tasks required to ensure patients receive the very best care possible.

Receiving training from a good school is essential. Programs should provide in-depth education in a variety of fields including X-rays, dental procedures, instrument sterilization, and anesthetics. In the office training in the management of dental records, payment collection, and billing are all critical to the efficiency with which a dental office runs.

Dental assistants will often working directly with patients independently. Removing sutures, cleaning away the cement left from a filling, and educating patients on dental care are all important aspects of the position. As a result, intensive training is often required with both theoretical as well as practical application in a clinical setting.

Education requires that dental assistants develop technical skills specific to dental hygiene, materials, and other aspects related to dental care. Although some have been hired after receiving on the job training in a vocational setting, those who are most in demand have received formal training.

Eligibility requirements will vary, but many schools look for students who have achieved a high school diploma, meet the minimum age requirements, and have taken biology, health, chemistry, and office practices while in school. They also may be required to pass an entrance exam. For those who also go onto include training in radiology, completion of a Radiation Health and Safety examination will be required after completion of state approved coursework in radiology.

Frequently by staying with a dental office over time one will find upward mobility within the organization. Although one may start as a lab tech or dental assistant, they could eventually become an office manager, instructor, or sale representative, but this often requires additional education. This position is different from a dental hygienist who must be licensed to perform cleanings, but many who begin as assistants often return to school to add this certification to their resume.

According to a US Labor Statistics report from 2008, 295,000 dental assistants were employed in this field and the future continues to look bright. It is anticipated the need will continue to grow through 2018 so you can be assured that once you graduate a job will be easy to find. With the excellent salary and the fact that this is a highly desirable position, a Dental Assisting Career could provide an educational alternative that ensures a very bright future.