Dental Assistant Schools
For anyone interested in dental assisting, enrolling in a dental assistant school can provide an edge in obtaining a job. There are around 256 accredited dental assistant training programs offered through community colleges, universities, dental schools, and technical institutes with many taking only 1 year to complete and receive a certificate. There are a few two year options that offer an associate’s degree with the completion of more courses to fill the requirements. A handful of online dental assistant programs are also available. The cost of dental assistant school will vary by location and the school itself but many programs take about 31 to 37 semester hours to finish. Other expenses can include books, dental clinical equipment, vaccination shots, and others unique to each program.
Dental Assistant Classes
Coursework varies through each program but the majority has classes focused on the major points of dental assisting. A few basic classes may be included especially those related to communication like speech and because dental assistants deal with patients. Dental office management teaches students some of the responsibilities they may have like records keeping and patient protocol. Students should obtain knowledge on dental science, preventive dentistry, materials, instruments, and laboratory procedures. Chairside assisting and dental radiology is also included in many programs to provide general knowledge before clinical practicum. Clinical training is where students receive plenty of hands on training and some schools have students working in a dental office under supervision from a dentist associated with the school.
