Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Dental Assistant Schools And Associated Programs

By Sammy Fogel


Dental assistant schools are the topic for this article. In America, the dental assistant position is one of the quickest growing fields today Various trends indicate that jobs in this industry are expected to grow 35 to 40 percent by the year of 2018. It is understandable why so many people are choosing to enter this career. Flexibility in job locations, room for advancement, and great benefits are all deciding factors for choosing this path.

To become a certified dental assistant (CDA), one must first be certified by an accredited school or college. The registration, licensure and certification of an oral assistant all vary from region to region and state to state. It would be wise for any individuals looking to become oral assistants to check with the state they plan to practice in before choosing to enroll in any institutes or colleges.

Also, not all schools that provide dental assistant training are accredited by the ADA (American Dental Association). In order for an individual to be certified as an oral assistant, this is a must. The last thing to check (if planning on taking online courses) is that the parent school is approved by either the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education (USDE).

There a variety of dental assistant schools that will provide the necessary training for certification. Depending on which program you enter, the length of the course training will vary. Most training courses average near seven months. Several schools offer courses that can be as short as four months and others, such as community colleges and universities, provide associates degree courses that last as long as two years. There are a number of schools that have online programs also. For those individuals that are looking to acquire an education but must work, this opportunity provides an added benefit.

Most oral assistant courses are normally separated between laboratory procedures and theory-based classes. Many of the different classes a student would be expected to learn at dental assistant schools include:

Physiology, Anatomy, and Terminology
Basic Computer Skills
Math Fundamentals
CPR and First Aid

Dental Anatomy and Pathology
Dentistry Fundamentals
Office Administration
Dental Pharmacology

Clinical Dental Procedures
Dental Equipment Use and Care

Dental X-rays Dental Materials

Also an externship at a dental office is usually required. The average term for an externship is usually around 300 hours.

Out of all the dental assistant schools a select few deserve credit. These schools are reputable and well-established in providing education and furthering advancement in careers. These schools are:

American School of Nursing
Allied College
US Career Institute
Ultimate Medical Academy
Sanford-Brown College
Remington College
Lincoln Technical Institute
Everest College

These dental assistant schools are among the best in the country, yet this does not mean that they are the only schools worth gaining accreditation. Each state has plenty of schools that offer great opportunities. What matters is which school is the proper fit for you.




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