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Getting Ahead with Dental Assistant Programs
Dental assistant programs can help those looking to get into the field get the education and experience they need to be competitive in the job market. Many dentists actually prefer to hire experienced assistants, so finding a good program can be a worthwhile investment for those lacking on-the-job experience. There are many campus-based programs as well as many online and distance learning programs to accommodate the needs of students looking to get into the field.
For example, Kaplan University provides an online program for an administrative dental assistant certificate. This program educates prospective dental assistants in all the administrative aspects of running a dental office including basic billing practices, basic dental terminology, financial management, insurance coding, insurance rules, medical records management and privacy laws. The Penn Foster Career School has a diploma program that also focuses on office management, scheduling appointments and updating records. However, this program also includes anatomy; business administration; dental emergency; dental terminology; disease transmission, pathology; nutrition; preventive dentistry; and radiology and pharmacology.
Many campus-based programs also have very extensive training courses to reflect the diversity actually involved in the job. Programs may lead to a diploma, certificate or AAS in dental assisting. At the diploma and certificate level, these programs prepare students for entry-level positions in the dental health industry. They usually take the four-handed approach to dentistry practice. Students learn hands on how to perform chair-side dental procedures, dental charting, front office administration, expanding functions, exposing processing, patient preparation and reading radiographs.
Training may last anywhere from nine months to a year. However, online courses may vary since these programs are usually tailored to let students work at their own paces. Certificate or diploma programs are usually found at community and junior colleges or at technical, trade and vocational schools. Those interested in an associate’s degree should look at colleges and universities. Of course these institutions may not have the fast-track programs found at two-year schools, but they do teach the expanded functions of dental assisting. Furthermore, those performing expanded functions in assisting will need to receive a license in the state in which they are working.