What a Dental Assistant Does
What type of work does a Dental Assistant do?
Dental Assistants perform a variety of duties including (but not limited to) preparing patients, sterilize or disinfect instruments, prepare materials, assist dentists during procedures, record treatment information for patients, take and record medical and dental histories along with vital signs of patients, and perform various administrative functions in the dental office such as scheduling appointments, preparing bills, and maintaining records.
Where do Dental Assistants work?
Just about all Dental Assistants work in a Dentist’s office, under the supervision of a Dentist. They may also work closely with other members of the Dental Healthcare team, such as Dental Hygienists.
Will I be able to find a job?
It’s important to note that no school can guarantee employment. Here at Dorsey College, we offer career services assistance to all completers of the Dental Assistant program, however, job placement is not guaranteed by Dorsey College. You can learn more about the assistance our Career Services team offers by visiting our Career Services for Students and Graduates page.
How much can I expect to make as a Dental Assistant?
Here are some helpful websites that will allow you to view information on Wages & Employment trends:
- Michigan Occupational Wage Information (The SOC for Dental Assistants is 31-9091)
- O*NET Online (Scroll down to Wages & Employment Trends to view helpful info on National/State trends)
Are there other jobs I may be able to obtain as a Dental Assistant?
When looking at any position, it’s important to evaluate the duties of the position along with the required skills and knowledge to determine if a candidate may meet the requirements set forth by the employer. In addition, some states require Dental Assistants to be certified in order to obtain gainful employment, so it is important to know the requirements of the state in which you wish to work, as the positions above may require a candidate to obtain certification prior to obtaining employment.
How is a Dental Assistant different from other dental healthcare professionals?
Dental Assistants typically work on the front lines in Dentists’ offices assisting dentists in providing patient care as well as performing various administrative tasks in a Dentist’s office. It’s important to note that Dental Assistants are not the same as Dental Hygienists, who typically are able to perform a wider variety of tasks in a Dental office, due to the fact that they have obtained more training to become a Hygienist and are required to obtain licensure in order to obtain employment as a Dental Hygienist.
Are there other career opportunities for Dental Assistants?
Some may choose to use a career as a Dental Assistant as an entryway into the dental field. It would not be uncommon for a Dental Assistant to work in the field to gain experience and later go back to school to further their education and/or strengthen their credentials.
Becoming a Dental Assistant
How might I determine if this is a good career choice for me?
In choosing any career, it’s important that someone look at a variety of factors, some of which include:
- Can I see myself doing the work that this position/occupation performs and am I going to be happy performing those tasks in that type of work setting?
- Do I have the skills/traits/characteristics that one may need to be successful in a position like this?
- How is the employment outlook/trends for this position?
I have no background or experience in dental healthcare – can I really do this?
You can! Many Dental Assistants have little to no dental healthcare experience prior to beginning their training. That’s why it’s very important for someone interested in becoming a Dental Assistant to evaluate their school and training options closely.
What type of training is needed?
Dental Assistants typically attend a post-secondary school or institution to obtain training. Many of these programs lead to a certificate or a diploma and typically take one year to complete. Some programs may take up to two years to complete. Some states may have specific requirements in place for Dental Assistants as well. It’s also important to note that since Dental Assistants work very closely with patients in the actual occupational setting, it can be advantageous to a student to choose a program that has a strong hands-on component so they can “learn by doing.”
How long do I have to go to school?
Many Dental Assistant programs can be completed in a year or less. In choosing a program, it’s important for someone to evaluate the training that is included so they can ensure they are receiving the training they need (and want) prior to entering the field as a Dental Assistant.
What are important characteristics for Dental Assistants to have?
While this isn’t a full list of important characteristics, Dental Assistants should have good interpersonal skills, listening skills, organizational skills, and be detail-oriented. If you’re lacking in one or more of these areas, it doesn’t necessarily mean you wouldn’t be a good Dental Assistant, and it may be an area you wish to focus on as part of your training.
Is Certification/Licensure required to obtain employment as a Dental Assistant?
It’s always important to check if the State in which you want to work has specific requirements for Dental Assistants to obtain employment. It is not required that Dental Assistants be certified/licensed in order to obtain employment in the State of Michigan, however, some employers may set this requirement for candidates they wish to hire. Furthermore, there are benefits to becoming a Certified Dental Assistant, and certification may strengthen a candidate’s prospects during their search for employment. In order to assist our graduates, Dorsey College will pay the cost one time for dental assistant program graduates to challenge 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, contingent upon the graduate meeting Dorsey College’s exam preparation requirements.
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.”
The Dorsey College Dental Assistant program
What will be covered in the program?
The Dorsey College Dental Assistant program offers instruction in both a classroom setting as well as a hands-on environment by way of the lab at Dorsey College in addition to an externship that will take place during the final module of training. Students enrolled in the Dental Assistant program will be exposed to a variety of topics including (but not limited to):
- Business Communications
- Infection Control in Dentistry
- Dental Anatomy, Morphology, and Dentitions
- Oral Health and Prevention of Dental Disease
- Dental Materials
- Administrative Dental Office Procedures
- Introduction to Radiography*
- Perform Vital Signs, CPR, and Dental Pharmacology
- Introduction to Chair-side Assisting responsibilities
- Introduction to Procedures of Prosthodontics, Dental Implants, and Endodontics
- Exploration of Dental Specialties such as Pediatric Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Coronal Polishing, and Dental Sealants
- Handling and Transferring Dental Instruments
- And more…!
Is your program hands-on?
Yes! Students will have opportunities to practice the skills they are learning in both the labs on campus at Dorsey College as well as during their externship.
What’s the externship and why is that important?
The externship will take place during the last module of training and will provide students with an opportunity to apply skills they have learned throughout their training in an actual occupational setting.
How long is the program?
The Dorsey College Dental Assistant program is designed to be completed in just one year.
Who are the instructors?
Our instructors are caring individuals that possess experience and expertise in their respective field. Our instructors meet or exceed State of Michigan and accreditation criteria, guidelines, and qualifications. It’s not uncommon for students of Dorsey College to see their instructors as their coach and mentor throughout their studies.
Why should I choose Dorsey College over another school?
Students choose Dorsey College over other Career Training Schools for a variety of reasons. You can learn more by visiting The Dorsey Difference page.
Which Dorsey College campuses offer the Dental Assistant program?
The Dental Assistant program is offered 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)
How do I enroll?
If you’re interested in enrolling in the Dental Assistant program at Dorsey College, the first step you should take is meeting with one of our Admissions Representatives. You can read more about our Admissions process on our Admissions information page.
Does your program include certification?
While actual certification is not included in the curriculum of the Dorsey College Dental Assistant program, graduates may go on to challenge applicable certification exams. For those who wish to challenge a certification exam, Dorsey College will pay the cost one time for dental assistant program graduates to challenge 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, contingent upon the graduate meeting Dorsey College’s exam preparation requirements.
Will your program prepare me for certification?
The Dorsey College Dental Assistant program is designed to prepare students to go on to challenge 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. Professional certifications enhance the prospect of ultimately securing and maintaining employment, therefore, Dorsey College Dental Assistant program graduates are encouraged to sit for applicable certification exams. Graduates of the Dorsey College’s Dental Assistant program may complete the third exam component necessary for DANB’s CDA credential, which is challenged after completing “a minimum of 3500 hours’ of work experience as a dental assistant, accrued over a period of at least two years (24 months, if employed full-time) to a maximum of four years (48-months, if employed part-time) which employment must be verified by a licensed dentist.”
Is your school accredited?
Yes, you can read more by visiting our Accreditation page.
What is the tuition and fees for the program?
The current tuition and fees for the Dorsey College Dental Assistant program can be accessed by clicking here.
What is included in my tuition?
In addition to program instruction, tuition includes books, a set of scrubs, and an electronic device.
Is Financial Aid available?
Financial Aid is available to those who qualify. For additional information on Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance, we would encourage you to visit our Financial Aid Information page.
Can you help me find a job after graduation?
Dorsey College offers Career Services assistance to all program completers, however, job placement is not guaranteed by Dorsey College. You can learn more about the assistance our Career Services team offers by visiting our Career Services for Students and Graduates page.
Additional Information
For your reference, we’ve included the links below of several very helpful websites where you can learn more about Dental Assistants, info pertaining to jobs as a Dental Assistant, the work Dental Assistants do, etc.:
Michigan Occupational Wage Information: http://milmi.org/?PAGEID=67&SUBID=124
O*Net Online: http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9091.00
*DA114, the course that covers Introduction to Radiology, follows the Michigan Dental Association approved radiography training program.
