Making dental care accessible is crucial for advancing health equity among underserved communities and populations. However, according to data from the American Dental Association (ADA), support staff shortages have reduced dental practices’ capacity by up to 10% across the country. Now more than ever, dental practices need qualified dental assistants to support the delivery of quality care.
Becoming a dental assistant can open the door to an exciting field in need of caring, compassionate support staff. A dental assistant training program can provide the clinical and administrative skills required to seek entry-level employment in the impactful field of dentistry.
What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
Dental assistants support dentists in ways that allow them to deliver high-quality, effective treatment. Their training prepares them to serve in many different capacities and perform a wide range of clinical and administrative tasks. Although their exact duties may vary depending on their specific employers, most dental assistants perform some or all of the following tasks on a day-to-day basis:
Scheduling appointments
Keeping patients up to date with their preventative care needs, such as cleanings
Organizing, updating, and managing patient records
Preparing patients for procedures
Informing patients of what they can expect during and after a dental procedure
Setting up the examination or procedure rooms
Preparing dental equipment and tools prior to a procedure
Cleaning and sanitizing equipment and tools between patients
Assisting in diagnostic tasks, such as capturing and processing X-rays
Keeping waiting areas clean and comfortable
Steps to Become a Dental Assistant
If you are interested in becoming a dental assistant, it is important to familiarize yourself with your state’s requirements for education, licensure and certification, and scope of practice. Some states have strict educational requirements, and many dental assistant employers have standards that exceed state minimums. The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) provides information on the latest state-specific requirements and regulations.
Step 1: Earn a Dental Assisting Diploma
Aspiring dental assistants can earn a diploma when they complete a dental assistant training program in a vocational setting. These programs, which can be completed in as little as one to two years, prepare students to work with patients in a variety of settings, including chairside practice and administrative roles.
Step 2: Develop Key Skills
Dental assistant programs utilize traditional classroom learning backed by hands-on training, allowing students to put their new skills to the test. Interpersonal skills, such as communication and listening, are vital to patient satisfaction and compassionate care.
The administrative side of the role requires basic technical and organizational skills, while the clinical side demands excellent dexterity, empathy, problem-solving, and the ability to follow strict, complex instructions.
Step 3: Gain Work Experience
Many states require dental assistants to gain experience in a patient care setting before seeking entry-level employment. Some dental assistant programs require students to complete externships in which they receive hands-on instruction in a working dental practice under close supervision. Others teach students how to become a dental assistant by combining classroom training with clinical experience throughout the length of the program.
Step 4: Earn Certifications
The licensure and certification required to work as a dental assistant varies from one state to the next. Most states do not require formal licensure, but some require registration or certification in order to enter the field. More commonly, states require dental assistants to meet specific requirements before they can work in specialized roles or perform certain tasks, which may include infection control or radiology.
Although few states require dental assistants to be registered or licensed, many employers prefer it. As such, the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) offers the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination to students nationwide.
This exam combines the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE), and General Chairside Assisting (GC) exams into a single session, but students may also choose to earn these certifications individually. DANB-accepted CPR certification is also required to earn and maintain the CDA credential.
Step 5: Continue Your Professional Development
Certified dental assistants are required to earn continuing education credits each year in order to maintain their credentials. The DANB provides access to several low-cost or free online courses that count toward these requirements, including those made available through the DALE Foundation, which is an affiliate of the DANB.
Many dental assistants go on to further their education and pursue other careers as part of their professional development. Some choose to become dental hygienists, while others eventually go on to become licensed dentists.
Job Outlook for Dental Assistants
Due to a growing dental support workforce shortage, dental assistants are in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in the role will rise by 7% between 2022 and 2032, accounting for roughly 55,100 new openings each year throughout the decade.
As people continue to learn more about the important link between their dental and physical health, the demand for dental services may increase in future years. As more dentists open practices to administer care, they will hire more dental assistants to help them maintain efficient practices and improve patient satisfaction.
Take the First Step Toward an Exciting Career in Dental Healthcare
In the Expanded Functions Dental Assisting program at All-State Career, you can get the training you need to become a dental assistant who is compassionate, caring, and skilled. From chairside assisting in a clinical setting to recordkeeping on the administrative side, your new skills can lead you forward in a career that makes a difference.
With campus locations in Baltimore and metro Philadelphia offering dental programs, All-State Career is ready to help you get started. Learn more about how All-State Career can help you prepare for a fulfilling career and a secure future in dental assisting.
Recommended Readings
A Day in the Life of a Dental Assistant
Signs a Career in Dental Assisting Is Right For You
What is Expanded Functions Dental Assisting?