Dental Assistant Career

Often found in dental labs, offices, or chair side with dentists, Dental Assistants are the extra hands for dentists.  Over the years, they have gradually taken on increased responsibility.  Currently, their duties may include preparing patients for treatment, being an aide to dentists during procedures, disinfecting and sterilizing instruments, taking and processing x-rays, creating tooth casts or temporary crowns from impressions, scheduling patient appointments, ordering supplies, and a variety of other tasks.  Due to their versatility, they tend to be great assets to dental practices. 

The majority of assistants work 35-40 hours per week and, depending on office hours, evenings and Saturdays may be included in their schedules.  Dental offices are generally clean and well lit environments, but there are many procedures that must be followed to ensure safety.  Assistants must wear gloves, masks, and protective eyewear on a daily basis to guard against infectious diseases.  Assistants with radiology responsibilities must follow strict procedures to ensure that their patients, as well as themselves, are protected against excessive radiation. 

Training for these occupations varies by state.  Many states regulate the duties assistants perform with licensing and registration.  To achieve this recognition, candidates must complete an accredited Dental Assisting program, which will generally last 10-12 months.  Certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is either recognized or required by most states.  For these endorsements, continuing education and annual recertification are commonly necessary.  Some states require candidates to complete four 12 hour programs while others have no regulations for these vocations.  While these positions are generally gateways to future careers, little advancement is possible without continuing education. 

Experts are projecting excellent career opportunities through 2014 for those wishing to begin a career as a dental assistant.  An increased need for dental assistants has occurred due to the fact that dental health has improved immensely.  These careers are projecting a growth much faster than average occupations meaning that entry level openings with companies willing to train candidates will be very high.  For more information on a career as a dental assistant, please visit the following sites:

• Dental Assistant Brochure
• Dental Assistant Training Schools
• Dental Assistant School
• RCTC Career/Program Overview
• Board of Dentistry - Dental Assistant

For a list of available Dental Assistant positions as well as a database of Dental Assistants searching for a career, please visit iHireDental.