There are many pros to pursuing a dental assistant career because this is an exciting, growing, and rewarding profession. Dental assisting offers a range of benefits, from a quicker entry into the workforce to opportunities for personal and professional growth. Let’s explore six pros of being a dental assistant and why this career might be perfect for you.

Explore Dorsey College’s dental assistant program

1. Quicker Entry into an Exciting Career

One of the standout advantages of becoming a dental assistant is the relatively short time it takes to complete your training. Some programs, like the Dental Assistant program offered at Dorsey College, can be completed in as little as one year. This means you can jumpstart your career quickly without the extended commitment of a four-year degree. With hands-on training, you can gain the skills and confidence needed to enter the workforce and begin making a difference.

2. A Chance to Make a Real Impact

As a dental assistant, you play a crucial role in helping patients feel comfortable and cared for. From performing administrative duties to assisting during dental procedures, your work directly impacts patient well-being. You’ll also contribute to the efficiency of the dental office, ensuring everything runs smoothly. It’s a career where you can see the positive results of your efforts every day when you clock out.

3. Varied Workday Keep Things Interesting

Dental assisting is far from a monotonous desk job. It’s a great fit for people who don’t like to sit still. If you’ve worked in a traditional office from 9-to-5 and found yourself counting down the hours until you could go home, it might be worth considering a more active career path. This is a big pro of a dental assistant career. Each day brings a variety of tasks, including:

• Preparing patients for procedures
• Sterilizing instruments
• Taking X-rays
• Managing records

The dynamic nature of the role keeps you engaged, and you are constantly learning, making it an ideal choice for those who thrive on variety.

4. Opportunities for Growth and Advancement

The dental field offers numerous opportunities to grow and advance your career. There are some areas of this career that you can branch into after you gain some experience. This includes working as a dental assistant in one of the following specialty practices:

• Orthodontics
• Oral surgery
• Pediatric dentistry

You might also choose to further your education and pursue roles such as a dental hygienist or office manager. The skills you develop as a dental assistant can provide a strong foundation for future education and opportunities. The ability to grow into new roles that fit your interests is a big pro of becoming a dental assistant.

5. Work-Life Balance

Another benefit of this career path: Dental assistants often enjoy a predictable schedule, typically working during regular office hours. This allows for a healthy work-life balance, giving you time to pursue personal interests, spend time with family, or continue your education. Many dental offices also offer part-time positions, providing additional flexibility. You can decide after completing a program if you want to work full- or part-time, or if you want to expand into different roles or specializations. Work-life balance is important no matter what career you pursue!

6. Positive Job Outlook

The demand for dental assistants is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in this field is projected to grow faster than the average for other occupations from 2023-2033, making it a stable and secure career choice. With the right training and dedication, you’ll be well positioned to take advantage of this growth. a

Is the Dental assistant career for you?

If you’re someone who enjoys working with people, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and wants to make a meaningful impact, a career as a dental assistant could be a perfect fit. It’s a role that combines technical skills with compassionate care, offering both challenges and rewards.

However, it’s worth weighing the pros and cons of dental assisting to make sure it’s right for you. Some other questions you can ask yourself to decide whether or not to pursue this career path:

• Am I okay dealing with bodily fluids like spit and blood?
• Do I enjoy spending time with people, or would I prefer a solitary work environment?
• Am I able to handle high-pressure situations, or can I learn coping skills needed to thrive in these situations?
• What are my values and how can I bring those to the work I do?

Researching Dental Assistant training programs? Consider Dorsey College

If you’re looking at various dental assistant training programs, consider Dorsey College. We offer a comprehensive dental assistant training program at our Dearborn, Roseville, and Woodhaven campuses. Our career-focused curriculum is designed to equip you with the skills needed to excel in this dynamic field. With training that can be completed in just one year, you can be ready to start your career sooner than you think.

At Dorsey College, we’re committed to your success. Financial aid is available for those who qualify, and our career services team is here to support you every step of the way. Take the first step toward a rewarding career today—explore the dental assistant program at Dorsey College!

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm (visited December 21, 2024).

The Dorsey College Roseville, Dearborn, and Woodhaven campuses are branch campus locations of Madison Heights (the main campus).Career services assistance is available to all program completers, however, job placement is not guaranteed by Dorsey College.

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.”