Dental assistants have to graduate high school, and usually need some kind of postsecondary education in dental health to become dental assistants.
Junior colleges and career schools offer dental assistant training courses that last from 9 months to two years. The best courses are the ones approved by the American Dental Association. In school, dental assisting students learn about oral hygiene and patient care, plus general health and science topics.
Training continues on the job, where dental assistants can do clinical work, administrative duties, or a combination of both.
In order to practice dental hygiene in most jurisdictions, one must be a graduate of an accredited dental hygiene school, pass the national board, and pass either a regional or state practical exam. There are no shortcuts for those who have experience as a dental assistant.
Before you can become a dental assistant, you do need to take some classes and have classroom training in an accredited dental assistant training program. Typical training for this job takes 9-11 months and will prepare you for a wide range of possible on-the-job circumstances. If you are serious about this job, make sure you are not a squeamish or easily upset person. It can be very challenging, especially when you are aiding patients with complications. You can find more info here: http://www.dentalassistant.net/
Generally you will have to go to a technical school unless the dental office says that no experience or training is required. You can read about careers as a dental assistant at http://www.dentalassistant.net/.
A dental assistant can become certified by taking an examination that tests their knowledge. One can study to be a dental assistant at a vocational college or dental school.
How can u become a dental assistant?
DA or CDA for certified dental assistant
entry level pay for dental assisting
It takes about 9-10 months to be certified in CT...
A dental assistant salary in Toronto, Canada varies between $13.00 and $18.00 per hour. A certified dental assistant earns about $23.00 per hour
It is actually the choice of being a certified dental assistant or a REGISTERED dental assistant. The difference in the two, is that if you are a CDA you have taken an exam administered by the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board), and if you are an RDA then you have taken an exam administered by your state dental board. I am an expanded-functions RDA and can get a good job anywhere in the state, but I wish to travel to another state and still be in the career of dental assisting then I would need to get my CDA. :) So in conclusion, it really only matters if you are planning on traveling.
Check your states scopes on what dental assistance are allowed to do. Each state is different.
I am a Dental Assistant. I plan on taking the EFDA course this Spring in Indiana. I've been told that the pay range for someone X-ray certified and EFDA certified is between $16-$24 dollars per hour.
A dental assistant can make up to $36,000 per year. This means that they make about $14.23 per hour in New York.
Yes you can work without being certified, depending on what state you live in. Most dental offices prefer you to be certified because you have to take xrays. The only downsize of your question is it can affect your pay, but if you can get certified do it.
In Indianapolis a dental assistant should make $11 an hour just passing instruments, running sterilizer etc... That should jump to $15ish is the assistant is x-ray certified. Now EFDA (expanded functions dental assistant) should make $17-21 if she/he can do a nice filling and is also x-ray certified. Signed an Indy Dentist
Sometimes you can find a Dentist who is willing to train on the job. You may earn a license to take x-rays, become a registered dental assistant, certified dental assistant, or assistant with expanded functions through dental trade schools, and local colleges.
For those dental assistants who meet the eligibility and exam requirements, national DANB Certification may be earned as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA), or Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA). DANB offers the option to take any of its exams in a computerized format throughout the year. DANB exam application packets include information on how to apply for the exams, eligibility requirements, DANB policies, DANB exam applications, a listing of CODA-accredited schools, testing locations, a listing of DANB exam reference materials and order forms for DANB study publications.