A 1 year dental assistant training program usually leads to a certificate or diploma. For those seeking to do an advanced course, you can look to gain admission into any community or junior college that offers a two year program in dental assistance, leading to an associate degree. There are also a number of lesser valued 4 to 6 month programs that are conducted by many vocational schools; however the credentials obtained by completing such courses may be insufficient for many dental assistant job openings. Many employers will only accept certifications accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation.
A typical dental assistant training program leading to certification as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) covers three semesters of course work. During those three semesters a student will need to complete about 42 credit hours of course work that include dental assisting procedure courses, dental x-rays, dental materials, dental nutrition, office procedures, office emergencies, pharmacology and head and neck anatomy. During the final semester of the program, students will also be required to complete a clinical rotation in two or three dental offices. The curriculum for different semesters will be something similar to what is given below:
Semester I
• Chairside Assisting
• Dental Science
• Dental Radiology
• Communication Skills for Trades
• Psychology of Personal Adjustment
Semester II
• Dental Assisting Applications
• Dental Materials
• Dental Radiology in the Clinic
• Dynamics of Human Relations
• Medical Terminology
Semester III
• Clinical Dental Assistant
• Dental Office Management
• Preventive Dentistry
• Advance Dental Science
Institutions offering dental assistant training programs will have the necessary infrastructure in place to deliver the best dental assistant education to its students. These facilities may consist of computer equipped dental assisting laboratories, dental operatories, high class dental materials labs, x-ray rooms, sterilization rooms, lecture areas and class rooms. When graduating from such institutions, students get their Certificate in Radiology, Infection Control and Jurisprudence along with CDA certification.
One can opt for higher education in their pursuit of a career in dental assisting. To do this, it is necessary to enroll for an associate degree program offered only through accredited US community and junior colleges and universities and which take around two years to complete. Upon graduating you will be awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree in dental assistance. As an Associate in Dental Assisting, you will be equipped with greater knowledge and skills when compared with certificate holders and will be able to assist the dentist or dental surgeon in advanced dentistry functions like sterilization, polishing, fluoride applications, preparing acrylic crowns and bridges, radiography certification and charting.
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