Are you interested in becoming a dental assistant? To become a dental assistant, you can complete trade school training. Students will study dental concepts and take part in hands-on training to prepare themselves for work in the field, which may be a clinical, laboratory or office setting.
The job outlook for dental assistants is in the midst of an upward trend. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment is projected to grow 19% [1] between 2016 and 2026.
When preparing to become a dental assistant, it is important to be aware of training costs.
What Is A Dental Assistant?
Dental assistants typically have a variety of duties that correlate to aiding patients and providing care.These individuals work under the direction of dentists. A dental assistant can perform a number of tasks [2] like:
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Ensuring that patients are comfortable in the dental chair
- Preparing patients and the work area for treatments and procedures
- Handing instruments to dentists during procedures
- Drying patients’ mouths using suction hoses and other equipment
- Instructing patients in proper oral hygiene
- Processing x rays and completing lab tasks, under the direction of a dentist
- Keeping records of dental treatments
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Working with patients on billing and payment
Where Can I Study and How Much Does It Cost to Become a Dental Assistant?
How Can I Pay for Dental Assisting Training?
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm#tab-6[2] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm#tab-2[3] https://www.valuepenguin.com/student-loans/average-cost-of-college