What You Need To Know Before Starting Dental Assistant School
Is dental assistant school the right choice for you? You may be ready and looking to start a new career that is financially and personally fulfilling. If you're ready to explore the options, take a look at what you need to know about jobs as a dental assistant and your road to success.
Why Should You Start A New Career At A Dental Assistant Academy?
Are you unhappy in your current field? If your job doesn't pay well or you've struggled to find work, dental assisting can change the way you feel about your career path. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the dental assisting field is growing at a faster than average rate of 11 percent. This equals a projected 36,900 new jobs between 2020 and 2030.
Along with the industry's growth rate, dental assistant jobs also pay more than just a minimum wage. The BLS data shows that the median hourly pay for a dental assistant in 2020 was $19.80. The annual salary for the same type of job was $41,180 per year.
How Do You Start A Career As A Dental Assistant?
Do you already have a high school degree or an equivalency? If you answered "yes," you've already taken the first step towards your new career. Provided you're a high school graduate (or have an equivalency) you can apply to a dental assistant program. Unlike a bachelor's degree, you won't have to spend four years in school before you can start your new career. Most dental assisting programs lead to a diploma or certificate. These degrees may take two years or less to earn.
Before you apply to a program, contact the dental assistant school and ask the admissions counselor or administrative staff for more information on pre-requisites, acceptance, registration, and financial aid (if needed). Some programs may require students to complete basic courses in math or science before starting the dental assistant curriculum. An admissions counselor/staff member can review your high school transcript and check for pre-requisite classes.
What Happens After You Apply To A Dental Assisting Program?
After you apply to school and the program accepts you as a student, it's time to start your courses. You will need to register for classes and choose a schedule that meets your needs. Some programs have flexible options that allow students to take classes in the evenings or online. This makes it possible to work or care for your family and continue your education. As you progress through the curriculum, you will learn basic dental anatomy, vocabulary, and hygiene/diagnostic techniques through a combination of classroom and hands-on courses.
