Imagine a career where you could be joining a rewarding profession while also bringing joy to people through your work. Maybe you’ve had your eye on a career as a dental assistant for some time, or perhaps you’ve just discovered this fantastic career. Switching careers to the world of dental health is the chance to combine your passion for healthcare and a desire to make people feel good about themselves.

Whether it’s the speed at which you can train to join the industry or even the stability a career as a dental assistant can offer. If you’re considering making a change in career, becoming a dental assistant could be for you!

Explore the Dental Assistant program at Dorsey College today!

Is dental assisting a good career?

For many who join the profession, a dental assistant career is more than just a job. Becoming a dental care assistant can have a hugely positive impact on people’s lives – not just by improving their oral health but by giving them a reason to smile again too.

Becoming a dental assistant gives you the chance to become a critical member of a dental team. You can play a vital role in a variety of healthcare settings, including working at:

• Public and private dental offices
• Orthodontic clinics
• Other facilities offering dental care

Being part of a team and working closely with dental experts such as dentists, hygienists, and orthodontists can be a tremendously positive part of becoming a dental assistant.

Compelling reasons to pursue a dental assistant career

Pairing a love of improving people’s lives and boosting their self-esteem is undoubtedly a massive benefit of the role… but why is dental assisting a good career for you?

These additional attributes are only a few of the advantages of becoming a dental assistant. From the short training time to the exciting possibilities of a new dental assistant career, let’s explore these factors in more detail below.

1. Fast-Track Education

We couldn’t start a list of the most appealing reasons to embark on a dental assistant career without mentioning the speed at which you can enter the profession. Enrolling in a dental training school could see you qualify for entry-level job openings with just a year of schooling.

Imagine leaving your current career behind to start making a significant impact on people’s dental health and overall well-being in just 12 months!

Learning side-by-side with dentistry experts in a comprehensive in-class training program can provide you with a solid foundation to excel in the position. Here, you can master the primary skills needed to become a dental assistant. As part of your dental assistant training, you can also attend a clinical dental externship, which might already be included as part of your training.

These training programs are ideal to allow you to build a solid knowledge base to tackle a certification exam… but, more importantly, to also excel in your new dental assistant career.

2. Job Security & Stability

As if the pace at which you can train for a dental assistant career wasn’t appealing enough the growth in the industry adds another reason you should pursue this career.

That’s because, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), they’ve projected the employment growth of dental assistants is set to rise by an impressive 7% between 2022 to 2032. This is faster than average for all occupations 1.

This is partly driven by the continued oral care needs of a growing national population, as well as an upsurge in demand for preventive dental services based on the BLS reports… which makes becoming a dental health assistant a very desirable profession to train for.

3. Career progression and professional development

Another hugely influential factor in training to become a dental assistant is the scope for career progression within the healthcare industry. As you gain experience and with continued education, you can expand your horizons.

Starting a dental assistant career is often the first step in pursuing advanced dental qualifications. With additional training and experience, it could also be a stepping stone to various occupations within the dental field, such as becoming a:

• Dental hygienist
• Oral surgery assistant
• Teacher or dental instructor

Take a step toward your new career with Dorsey College!

With so many appealing benefits, from the quick qualification process to the job outlook and career progression available there are plenty of reasons to pursue a dental assistant career.

Here at Dorsey College, we’re determined to help you launch your dental assistant career. Our on-campus labs and the externship included at the end of the program could help you become a dental assistant with just a year’s worth of training.

You can enroll in our dental assistant training program at the following Dorsey College campus locations:

• Dearborn, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
• Roseville, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)
• Woodhaven, MI (A branch campus of Madison Heights)

Contact Dorsey College about enrolling in our dental assistant training program to pursue your dental assistant career.

Sources:

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm#tab-6 (visited October 23rd, 2023).

NOTE: The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Michigan Board of Dentistry are responsible for the licensing of individuals who want to practice dentistry, dental hygiene and advanced levels of dental assisting.  Students attending a dental assisting program offered by a private college that is not accredited by the American Dental Association are not eligible for licensure in the State of Michigan. Dorsey College is classified as a private college and is not accredited by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation; graduates of this program are not eligible for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant in Michigan. However, graduates of this program may challenge a certification exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. after completing 3,500 hours of dental work experience. Dorsey’s Dental Assistant Program includes the opportunity to sit for the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and the Infection Control (ICE) certification exams, which are two components of the Dental Assisting national Board (“DANB”) Certified Dental Assistant (“CDA”) exam. Graduates of this program may complete the third exam component necessary for DANB’s CDA credential, which is challenged after completing “a minimum of 3,500 hours’ work experience as a dental assistant, accrued over a period of at least two years (24 months, if employed fulltime) to a maximum of four years (48 months, if employed part-time) which employment must be verified by a licensed dentist.”