Are you interested in starting a dental assistant career path in 2024? It’s important to know what skills and education you need before you start working in this exciting branch of dental care. To start, working as a dental assistant requires a unique blend of skills in:
- Patient care
- Administrative responsibilities
- Hands-on tasks
This guide will provide a closer look at each of these job duties, as well as the education needed for success. We’ll also look at the different career paths you can take as a dental assistant.
Learn about Dorsey College’s Dental Assistant program
What Dental Assistants do in their career
Dental assistants are essential members of a patient’s dental care team. They help keep dental practices running smoothly. They must keep track of a lot of moving parts. Because of this, working as a dental assistant requires a diverse skill set. You should have excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and dexterity. You’ll use these skills daily in tasks like:
- Providing direct patient care before, during, and after a patient’s appointment
- Assisting the dentist during procedures
- Sterilizing and organizing dental instruments
- Performing administrative duties
As a dental assistant, your patient care tasks may include preparing patients for dental procedures and making sure they are comfortable. Dental assistants may also explain the procedures to each patient, so they understand what’s coming.
The career outlook for a Dental Assistant
The career outlook for dental assistants is promising. As the demand for dental services continues to rise, the need for skilled dental assistants is also increasing. This makes it an excellent career choice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of dental assistants is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations. 1
Looking at the Dental Assistant career outlook in Michigan
In Michigan, the career outlook for dental assistants is also optimistic. The state has a growing demand for dental care services, particularly in urban areas like Detroit.2
Michigan also offers various resources and professional organizations. One of them is the Michigan Dental Assistants Association (MDAA). They provide continuing education, networking opportunities, and support for dental assistants. These resources help dental assistants stay updated with industry trends.
How you can pursue becoming a Dental Assistant
Now that you know more about the career outlook for dental assistants, it’s time to research the requirements for working as a dental assistant in your state. Be sure to investigate your state’s:
- Educational requirements
- Certification and licensure requirements
- Continuing education options
Becoming a dental assistant typically involves completing a dental assisting program. Choose a dental assistant program at a school that is accredited, as this often signals a mark of quality in terms of the education you will receive. You can enroll at community colleges, vocational schools, or technical institutes. These programs usually take about one year to complete. They include both classroom instruction and hands-on training.
Some states and employers prefer certification before they hire dental assistants. In Michigan, for instance, obtaining a certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) could enhance your job prospects and professional credibility.
Opportunities after you graduate from a program
Once you graduate from your dental assistant program, you can start looking for jobs! There are lots of places you can apply. Dental assistants can find work in a variety of settings, including:
- Private dental offices
- Specialty practices (such as oral surgery or orthodontics)
- Public health clinics
- Dental schools
With experience and continuing education, dental assistants can also advance in their careers. Some dental assistants go on to become dental office managers or dental hygienists. Some may even pursue further studies to become a hygienist or perhaps even a dentist. The versatility of the dental assistant career path allows for career growth and specialization. This makes it a rewarding profession with a clear path to advancement.
Dorsey College can help you get started on your Dental Assistant career path
Are you ready to start your dental assistant career in Michigan? Dorsey College offers a dental assistant program aimed at helping students succeed in their career goals. The dental assistant program also includes the opportunity for an externship. After learning key concepts and skills, students can gain experience in a real-life setting such as a dentist’s office. This is your chance to practice what you learn on a real dental care team. It’s a great opportunity to gain experience and valuable mentorship from experts in this growing industry.
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.”
1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm
2.“Michigan – May 2023 OEWS State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates.” Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_mi.htm. Accessed 9 July 2024.
