What to expect continued …

The length of dental assistant programs can be a big draw for students of all ages who need to get on their feet quickly. Dental assistant certificate programs typically last one year, or two to three semesters. The courses are aimed at preparing students with the clinical and administrative skills most dentists require. When selecting a dental assistant school, look for CODA accreditation or accreditation by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Most academic dental assisting programs require around 50 credit hours and take nine to 12 months to complete. The curriculum for an academic dental assistantship program is often delivered through three components: instruction, learning and assessment. Students will learn about the biological and social sciences in both classroom and hands-on clinical settings. The goal of our career college partner dental assistant programs is to get you in the workforce as quickly as possible. That’s why many include externships and have relationships with local employers near you.

In your dental assistant program, you’ll likely take courses that cover critical topics such as:

• Dental materials
• Dental radiology
• Head and neck anatomy
• Oral pathology
• Chairside assisting
• Clinical experience
• Dental terminology

In these courses, you can learn how to make patients feel comfortable, how to assist dentists during procedures, and develop an understanding of external and internal structures of the teeth and oral cavity. Once completed, you should be able to list and identify the landmarks of the face and the oral cavity, as well as identify the structures of each tooth and their location.

Typically, students will be able to apply the dental assisting techniques in a clinical setting, as well as practice chairside procedures as directed by dentists. The goal of the externship is to ensure students who graduate from the dental assisting program have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be successful once they step into the workforce.

At first, the curriculum for becoming a dental assistant might sound intimidating. But there are resources students can utilize at home that will help them succeed. Be sure to keep up with our monthly alerts with important program information, as well as articles about other topics meant to help you succeed.

Download our mobile app right now, if you haven’t done so already. It’s the best way to manage your profile, track your career college scholarship application, and make sure you’re maximizing your potential for a dental assisting career.

Dental Assistant Schools not for you? Check out our other programs of study HERE