Dental healthcare is booming, Are you ready for a career in dental care
Since more and more people have become aware of the necessity of dental care, the career prospects of those interested or already taking up a dental assisting course is particularly excellent. In the next few years, it is expected that the demand for a dental assistant will grow alongside the continuing growth of the field of dentistry. In fact, in 2010 the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that in the next seven years the field of dental assisting will grow by 36%.
In some states, dental assistants can work without a college degree. However in recent years, there has been growing demand for them to have relevant certification and training as a way of protecting consumers. Typically, training programs are carried out by community colleges, and vocational schools. However, dental auxiliary courses are also now made available in universities. Certificate programs usually take about ten to eleven months while associate degrees encompass two years worth of coursework and hands-on experience. Training program includes discussion on concepts of dental lab procedures, radiology, office management, chair-side assisting, infection control and emergency management.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation is the main accrediting body of over 200 dental school operating in the United States. It will be to your best interest if you study in these institutions. Online campuses are also a good option especially if you intend to study and work at the same time. Just make sure that they also have the proper accreditation and that their cost of attendance is reasonable.
Certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is granted to an applicant who has successfully completed a training program from an accredited school. Those who have two years worth of on-the-job training may also take the test to get a certificate. At present, the certificate is recognized and required in 38 states across the United States.
Dental assistants can earn a median wage of $14 per hour which is almost the same for other unlicensed assistant personnel working in the healthcare industry but without the high degree of physical labor inherent in the latter. Also, dental assistants usually work for only 3 ½ days in a week, so having a second job or a small business is quite feasible. Devotion to the job is a primary requirement for success, not just a job as a dental assistant, it is applicable to any job. For a dental assistant, caring for the patient’s teeth should come before everything else.
Pursuing a healthcare career is quite physically demanding. Luckily, you can pursue a career which is not as physically demanding but just as financially rewarding, just like dental assistant jobs.
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