The employment of Dental Assistant professionals is projected to grow by 11% before 2030. Thus, enrolling in quality 12 week dental assistant programs that are accredited will prepare you for a promising career as a dental assistant.
There are so many ways to become a dental assistant. Some countries/states may require you to take up an accredited dental assistant program and sit for a certification exam.
However, other states may allow dental assistants to learn on the job without any formal education required. In this article, you will be introduced to dental assistant programs that can be completed in just 12 weeks.
Let’s share a few things about a Dental Assistant.
Table of Contents
Who is a Dental Assistant?
A dental assistant is a key member of a dental team who provides support to other dental professionals. They perform tasks like assisting the dentist during treatments, managing clinical waste, taking x-rays and a list of other duties.
How To Become a Dental Assistant
You can become a dental assistant through so many paths. Dental Assistants can either go through formal educational training like 12 week dental assistant programs or receive on-the-job training from dental professionals.
1. By Formal Education:
Education for dental assistants usually takes place in community colleges, vocational schools and some technical institutions.
These programs may take a few weeks or more to complete.
On completion, students receive a certificate or diploma while some programs which take longer may lead to an associate degree in dental assisting. There are over 200 dental assistant programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
2. By Training:
For individuals who may not have formal education in dental assisting, they can apply for apprenticeship/externships in dental offices or clinics where other dental professionals will teach them about the job.
In most on-the-job training, dental assistants are taught dental terms, the name of dental instruments and how to use them, patient care and a list of other necessary skills.
What are Dental Assistant Programs?
Dental Assistant programs are formal training programs designed to teach individuals everything they’ll need to become effective dental assistants.
Most dental assistant programs are designed to train individuals for career opportunities in dental offices, clinics and health centres.
Within the program, individuals usually work under the supervision of a dental professional to gain practical understanding of patient care, chair side assisting, work area preparation, laboratory procedures and a host of other vital dental assisting duties.Â
List of 12 week dental assistant programs
Below is a list of ongoing 12 week dental assistant programs:
- New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants
- Academy for Dental Assistants
- Phoenix Dental Assistant School
- Dental Academy of Chicago
- School of professional studies
- IVY tech Community College
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Community College of Philadelphia
- Hennepin Technical College
- Gurnick Academy.
Ongoing 12 week dental assistant programs
1. New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)
- Tuition Fee: $23,800
Medical and Dental assisting programs at NYSMDA are both online and on-campus. The dental assisting program is 900 hours long and can be completed in a few months depending on your time commitment. These programs also include externships where students work at a doctors office to acquire practical experience.
2. Academy for Dental Assistants
- Accreditation: Florida Board of Dentistry
- Tuition Fee:$2,595.00
During this 12 week dental assisting program, students will learn practical dental assisting procedures, they’ll gain knowledge about what it takes to work in a dental office as well as how to use dental tools, equipment and techniques. Students will also undergo 12 weeks of training on campus with about 200 hours of dental assisting externships in any dental office you choose.
3. Phoenix Dental Assistant School
- Accreditation: Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary education
- Tuition Fee: $3,990
Phoenix Dental Assistant School applied a hybrid learning model to its dental assistant training. During the program students will engage in labs once a week at local dental offices. Lectures are self paced and online and each student has a personal lab kit.
4. Dental Academy of Chicago
- Accreditation: Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) Division of Private and Vocational Schools
- Tuition Fee: $250 – $300 per course
In Dental Academy of Chicago, students are taught on flexible schedules with Practical methods from the first day of study. Lectures are held once every week. Students can choose to learn on Wednesdays or Thursdays at scheduled time. Additionally, students must complete at least 112 clinical hours at the academy’s facility.
5. School of professional studies
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Schools
- Tuition Fee: $4,500Â
In UIW school of professional studies, students are taught on flexible schedules with Practical methods to fit the schedules of busy individuals. Lectures are held twice every week (Tuesday and Thursday) with every session lasting for just 3hours. After completing the program classes, the class coordinator will work with you to find externship placement.
6. IVY tech Community College
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Tuition Fee: $175.38 per credit hour
Students are taught by lectures who have previously worked in the field as dental assistants. The dental assisting program admission at IVY tech Community College is selective. Only limited number of students are granted admission into the program.
7. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Accreditation: The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition Fee: $ 1,799
This program is a combination of both classroom and practice learning. Learners will be taught key topics like dental anatomy and physiology, the dental assisting profession, Patient care/information assessment, classification of restorations on a tooth, Oral care and dental disease prevention etc
8. College of Philadelphia
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Tuition Fee: $2,999
During your stay at the College of Philadelphia, you will learn the necessary professional skills you’ll need to become a dental assistant. The college operates with a hybrid system ( online and on-campus) with lectures online and labs in person.
9. Hennepin Technical College
- Accreditation: Commission on Dental Accreditation
- Tuition Fee: $ 191.38 per credit
On completion of this course, students may earn a diploma or an AAS degree. You’ll learn the skills that will enable you to become a professional dental assistant including office and laboratory functions as well as expanded dentistry functions.
10. Gurnick Academy
- Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
- Tuition Fee: $ 14,892 (total program cost)
Classes at Gurnick Academy begins every 4 week with both laboratory, on-campus and online lectures. The program is made up of 7 instructive and laboratory courses in 4 week blocks. Labs are combined with daily theoretical classes which starts from 8am and ends at 6pm every Monday to Friday. In addition to labs and instructive classes, students also engage in clinical externships and outside work.
How do I find the best 12 week dental assistant programs near me?
Finding the best dental assisting programs for you all depends on your needs and career plan. Below are some steps to help you make the right choices:
1.Decide on the location, duration and type (online or on campus) of digital assistant programs you’d like to enroll in.Â
- Perform a google search on the best ongoing 12 week dental assistant programs. While performing this search, pick out the ones that match your needs in step 1.
- From the dental assisting programs you’ve chosen, check for their accreditation, Cost, Certificate type, duration, location and state laws relating to dental assisting.
- Make an inquiry about the requirements for Admission into this program as well as their curriculum and students employment history.
- From the previous information, pick the program that’s a best match for you and your needs.
Admission Requirements for 12 week dental assistant programs
Different 12 week dental assistant programs may have different admission requirements. Nevertheless, there are some prevalent requirements which are common with almost all dental assisting programs.
They include:
- AÂ high school diploma or its equivalent
- Placement test pass score
- Pre-Med Courses or High School Science Courses like biology, chemistry and anatomy.
Curriculum for 12 week dental assistant programsÂ
The curriculum of most 12 week dental assistant programs start with the basic concepts like terms, tools and best practices of the profession in the first week. Then they proceed to more difficult and complex aspects like clinical waste management, dental office tasks etc.
Some of these 12 week medical and dental assistant programs also engage students in field practice to give students hands on and practical knowledge of the profession.
Below is an example of a typical curriculum for dental assistant programs (it may vary with institutions and states):
- Introduction to Dentistry/ Basic Concepts
- Infection Control
- Preventative Dentistry, Oral clearing
- Dental Radiography
- Dental Dams, Preventative Dentistry
- Pain and Anxiety
- Amalgam, Composite Restorations
- Crown and Bridge, Temporaries
- Dental SpecialtiesÂ
- Dental SpecialtiesÂ
- Review, Medical Emergencies
- CPR and the Final Exam.
Career Opportunities for Dental Assistants.
An average of over 40,000 employment opportunities has been projected every year for the past 10 years in the dental assisting profession. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2030, an employment projection of 367,000 is expected.
Additionally, you can also choose to progress further in the career path by expanding your skill-set and education. Other similar occupations includes:
- Dental and Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians and Medical Appliance Technicians
- Medical Assistants
- Occupational Therapy Assistants and Aides
- Dentists
- Dental Hygienists
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Phlebotomists
- Surgical Technologists
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ongoing 12 week dental assistant programs
How long are most dental assistant programs?
Dental assistant programs may range from a few weeks to a year or more. Typically, certificate programs for dental assisting may take a few weeks or months, while associate degree programs in dental assisting can take up to two years.
Can I Pursue dental assistant Programs Online?
It is possible to pursue dental assistant programs online. However, these programs may include some Practical training that will require your physical presence. These hands-on experiences may include producing dental x-rays and processing it, assisting professional dentists with tools like suction hoses during a procedure etc.
After I Graduate as a Dental Assistant, Can I Work Anywhere Right Away?
It depends on the licensing requirements of your state for dental assistants. However, new graduates of certain states like Washington can get started in an entry level job right after graduation. While other states may require you to pass a licensing exam or gain some experience through externships or volunteering.
How much does a 12 week dental assistant program cost?
The cost of dental assisting training varies with institutions, states and type of program you choose. However, it is commonly known that an associate dental assistant program costs more than a certificate program.
How much do registered dental assistants make?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average median pay for dental assistants is $41,180 annually. That is about $19.80 per hour.
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Conclusion
Dental assisting skills are great post secondary level skills that anyone can acquire. They provide you the opportunity to work alongside medical and dental professionals. You can also further your education in related fields If you choose to.
Good luck Scholars!!!