How Long Does it Take to Become a Dental Assistant?

Most students choose to enroll in a training program for dental assistants at a post-secondary institution, such as a vocational school or community college. These training programs typically last between 9 and 11 months, depending on whether you earn a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. The curriculum consists of classroom lectures and hands-on training in a clinical setting.

Dental care

education includes classes on oral anatomy, dental office management, dental materials, and dental radiography.

Unlike vocational training programs, community college programs also include general education classes, such as English or mathematics. For example, Delta Technical College (DTC) offers a dental assistance program that provides students with basic theoretical and practical training in basic and routine clinical and office tasks. This program equips the dental assistant student with the skills necessary to perform in a clinical, laboratory or office environment. Becoming a dental assistant is a great career option that doesn't require a college degree.

But how long does it take to become a dental assistant? Depending on your schedule and your dedication to your courses, certification can take less than a year. In some cases, students can complete their training in just a few months. A dental assistant can help with other procedures, patient education, and care, but can't clean your teeth. Dental care is a popular career option for many reasons, including job stability, quick entry into the workforce, and the ability to help others.

X-ray technology has come a long way since it was developed, and today's medical assistants should be kept informed of the latest technology being used in dental offices. Delta Technical College (DTC) students receive hands-on training that includes performing practical laboratory work and applying dental assistant skills in a wide range of environments. Dental assistants who have earned certification through the DANB must complete continuing dental education credits every year to maintain their certification. Individual programs may also be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which is the accreditation body formed by the American Dental Association.

To become a dental assistant, you must complete a dental care certificate or diploma program at a community college or technical school. Delta Tech also offers a dental radiology seminar to provide students with the fundamental principles of dental radiology and provide students with a dental radiography certification. If you are pursuing a career as a dental assistant, you have several educational itineraries available to you at the dental care school, and the decisive factor is usually based on the possibility of continuing education. Graduates should understand common dental terminology and be familiar with dental office management software.

Industry bodies, such as the American Dental Association or United States Medical Technologists, also provide credentials to dental assistants. You can find several hybrid dental assistant programs, which allow you to complete some online courses while attending some classes in person or participating in fieldwork. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for dental assistants is growing at an impressive rate of 11%, higher than the average for all occupations. If you're interested in becoming a dental assistant, post-secondary training programs can take anywhere from 9 to 11 months to complete depending on your educational path of choice.

The school itself must be accredited by either regional or national agencies such as the Distance Education Accreditation Commission if it is an online school.