The week of March 6th through 12th has been set aside to honor and acknowledge the contributions Dental Assistants make on a daily basis to our dental healthcare system. Dental Assistants Recognition Week is recognized by the American Dental Assistants Association, the American Dental Association and other professional organizations to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of Dental Assistants throughout the dental profession. Dental Assistants play an invaluable role in today’s dental healthcare system, and it’s only fitting that we take this opportunity to celebrate all they do on a daily basis in helping us maintain good dental health. If you happen to be at your Dentist’s office this week, be sure to tell your Dental Assistant how much you appreciate them, or what the heck, it doesn’t have to be this week, tell them anyway next time you see them!
Dorsey Schools Recognizes Dental Assistant Week
Here at Dorsey Schools, we want to give a big shout out to all of our hard working Dental Assistant students, graduates, and faculty – enjoy your week and thanks for all you do!
What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
The dental assistant is a valuable member of the professional dental healthcare team. They typically can perform a number of different tasks which may often include caring for dental patients, taking X-rays, assisting the dentist during procedures, scheduling appointments, performing other administrative duties in a dental office, and other duties as assigned.
Positions in dental assisting may be found in a variety of dental practice settings that include solo and group practices, specialty practices, hospital dental practices, dental schools, and public health clinics.
How Long Is The Road To Becoming A Dental Assistant?
A career as a dental assistant can be both rewarding and challenging. The dental assistant plays an important role within a dentist’s office. As previously noted, dental assistants can be found working in a variety of dental practice settings such as solo and group practices, specialty practices, hospital dental practices, dental schools, and public health clinics.
In terms of looking towards the future, according to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 18% from 2014 to 2024, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.a In addition, here in Michigan, according to the State of Michigan DTMB, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 10.7% from 2012 to 2022.b
Dental Assistant Training at Dorsey Schools
The Dorsey Schools Dental Assistant diploma program is designed to prepare students to provide dental care to patients under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. Throughout the Dental Assistant training program, enrolled students have the opportunity to learn about a variety of topics such as:
- Administrative dental office procedures,
- Electronic health records,
- Dental anatomy and physiology,
- Dental terminology,
- Dental materials,
- Preventative oral care,
- Two-handed and four-handed chairside assisting,
- Radiography,
- Sterilization and instrumentation,
- Pharmacology,
- Dental specialties and
- Laboratory procedures.
Completion of the Dental Assistant program at Dorsey Schools prepares students to challenge two components of a national certification exam. The Dorsey Schools Dental Assistant training program also includes an externship component, which allows students to assimilate knowledge and skills used in the program into practical application in an actual occupational setting.
The Dental Assistant training program is offered at the following Dorsey Schools campus locations:
Do you want to pursue a career as a valuable member of the dental healthcare team? If so, training to become a Dental Assistant could be for you and Dorsey Schools can help you get started! Give us a call today at 888-422-1188 or you can request info online to learn more!
Dental Assistant FAQs
Want to learn more about…
- What Dental Assistants Do
- Becoming a Dental Assistant
- The Dorsey Schools Dental Assistant Program
Check out our Dental Assistant FAQ page!
Dental Assistant Program – Gainful Employment Disclosures
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who have completed the program, and other important information, please click here.
aBureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Dental Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm (visited February 15, 2016).
bMichigan DTMB, Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives, Long-Term Occupational Employment Projections (2012-2022) Michigan Statewide, Dental Assistants (SOC Code: 31-9091), http://milmi.mt.gov/Portals/137/publications/projectionsdata/LongTerm_OccupationalProj_2024_MI.xlsx (visited February 15, 2016).
NOTE: The Michigan Department of Community Health, Bureau of Health Professions and the 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 course in dental assisting that is offered by a licensed proprietary school that is not accredited by the American Dental Association are not eligible for licensure by the State of Michigan. Dorsey Schools is classified as a licensed proprietary school 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. 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.”
