Dental assisting is a great way to get into healthcare without spending years paying off student loans. Many of our students chose to become dental assistants because they enjoy working in the dentist’s office and feel it’s a personally and professionally fulfilling career.
Professional Development
Few careers are as rewarding and service-oriented as dentistry. You’ll be vital to keeping patients happy, healthy, and smiling; there’s nothing better.
Dental Assistant Training is a comprehensive program that combines hands-on instruction with classroom learning. The curriculum teaches students the “what” and explores the “why” behind every aspect of dentistry, creating a deeper understanding and appreciation for the profession.
NYSMDA’s program includes a 180-hour externship that allows students to work in a real dental practice, medical office, or hospital. Upon completion of their externship, graduates will be ready to assist dentists with clinical procedures and office management, sterilize instruments, take and develop radiographs, provide coronal polish procedures, and more.
Many graduates say that passing DANB’s CDA exam gave them pride in their profession and provided a competitive edge when seeking employment. This is unsurprising, given that obtaining a knowledge-based credential requires hard work, dedication, and perseverance.
Job Opportunities
Unlike on-the-job training, which only teaches you how to perform tasks, dental assisting school locations give you a well-rounded education so that you know what to do and why. You learn standardized methods that ensure you use the right tool at the correct time, helping ensure patient safety and success.
Upon graduation, you are prepared to work in many different types of dental practices. The program curriculum covers clerical and administrative duties, dental office management, and sterilization techniques. In addition, you learn a wide variety of clinical dental assisting skills, including preparing restorative and impression materials, four-handed dentistry, dental radiography, and dental specialty procedures such as root canals, orthodontics, and oral surgery.
Enhanced Confidence
Dental assisting school allows students to learn and practice skills in an environment conducive to learning. There are no real patients to work on in the classroom, so students can focus and make mistakes without worry.
In the lab, students receive hands-on training with various equipment, including dental chairs and units, oral evacuation devices, sterilization and disinfection techniques, dental radiography, and more. By the time they graduate from their program, they are ready to enter the workplace equipped with valuable skills.
Many programs also include course material that teaches students about anatomy, physiology, radiography, and healthcare law and regulations. In addition, students benefit from the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and form bonds that will last beyond graduation. Many of these connections will prove helpful regarding job hunting or seeking professional development opportunities.
Personal Growth
When you attend Dental Assisting School, you gain skills that will help you advance your career and personal growth. The curriculum has science-oriented lectures and skill development laboratories to teach you how to operate x-ray equipment, prepare patients for treatments, and much more.
Once you complete the program, you are prepared to work as a professional in the industry and have much to look forward to. You can further your education to become a Dental Hygienist or even explore careers in insurance billing and coding.
Dental Assistants make a decent living, and the profession has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. This means you can start earning money quickly and have more time to spend on other things in your life. The best part is that your job will allow you to keep people smiling, which is an amazing feeling.
