While there are people who would go for a career in dental assisting no matter how hard education can be, there are also those who are wondering how hard it will be to get through dental assistant school and whether they will manage to complete all the requirements.
You have to expect certain intensive courses focusing on science and math, but whether these will be difficult for you or not, depends on your personal qualities and the type of education you find difficult.
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Do You Have the Qualities for Dental Assisting Programs?
The dental assistant school will not be at all difficult for people who possess the basic qualities needed by dental assistants.
We consider it worth mentioning that the best candidates for dental assisting are people who are detail-oriented, have excellent communication skills, and are great listeners, who are organized and good with their hands.
Possessing these qualities makes you an ideal candidate for a dental assistant program.
What Do Dental Assistants Study?
During their studies, dental assistants will focus on subjects that will equip them with knowledge and skills to successfully perform their duties.
Programs should have a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) accreditation, meaning that they are accredited by the Dental Assistant National Board (DANB).
You should know that requirements for dental assistant education vary from state to state.
However, so as to become a Certified Dental Assistant, it is required by the DANB to pass exams in General Chairside Assisting (GC), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and Infection Control (ICE).
Dental assisting programs can be completed in less than a year.
In some states, it is possible that dental assistants become Expanded Function Dental Assistants.
By gaining this level of education, you will be allowed to perform extra duties such as coronal polishing, taking impressions, or applying sealants or topical anesthetic.
How Long is a Dental Assistant Program?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA) dental assisting programs can be finished in 9 to 11 months, if students get certificates at the end of their education, while more advanced dental careers which result in associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees take more time to be complete.
Some people chose to attend accelerated programs that are available, but they need to have in mind that their courses are more rigorous as everything has to be completed in a shorter period of time.
How Can You Stand Out?
The first thing you can do to stand out from all the other candidates is to study more, meaning that you should not be satisfied with just gaining the basic required dental assistant training.
You are advised to complete additional volunteer hours, internships, and externships after completing the studies.
The more you prepare for the career, the more attractive you will be to your possible employers, thus you will be able to find a job easily.
Clinical and On-the-Job Training
Besides gaining adequate knowledge related to the dental assisting profession, which can be achieved online, you have to know that most skills are learned in clinical settings, so it is very important to possess skills related to chairside assisting, computer programs, and assisting techniques.
These qualifications can be taught during the clinical portion of dental assisting.
Are You a Good Candidate for Dental Assistant School?
Those who wish to enter a career without putting forth much effort should not consider dental assisting, while for those who possess the necessary qualities and are ready to complete the requirements, the dental assistant school would not be hard at all.
