Individuals who want to become certified dental assistants can complete diploma or associate degree programs in dental assisting. These programs are available at community or technical colleges and should be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. While diploma programs typically last about one year, associate degree programs last two years. These programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on training. Aspiring certified dental assistants additionally can complete on-the-job training. To prepare for dental assistant training, high school students should take courses in subjects such as chemistry, office practices and health. Although some private institutions offer dental assisting programs that last four to six months, these programs are not accredited by the ADA and thus will not lead to certification in this field.
To become certified, dental assistants must have a high school diploma along with on-the-job training or a certificate from an accredited dental assisting program. The on-the-job work experience should total 3,500 hours--which is two years of full-time experience or four years of part-time experience. Certification is voluntary and involves completing and passing an exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. Individuals also can complete tests specifically on orthodontic dental assisting. Certified dental assistants additionally must maintain their credentials by completing continuing education requirements and keeping their cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification current. Certification improves dental assistants' employment opportunities. Some states also require dental assistants to be licensed or registered by passing a written or practical exam.
Courses in a certified dental assistant training program cover topics such as dental anatomy and physiology, oral histology/embryology, pathology and microbiology. Students also study dental terminology, general assisting procedures, infection control and radiography. Other courses include dental materials, dental equipment use and care and dental pharmacology, according to Pima Medical Institute. Students typically are required to complete externships in local dental offices to get hands-on experience working with patients.
After completing training to become a certified dental assistant, students can seek work in a wide variety of settings. For example, they can land positions at general dentist offices or specialty practices in fields such as orthodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, periodontics, pediatric dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery. Certified dental assistants also can find work at clinics, hospitals or dental schools. They additionally can complete programs to become expanded functions dental assistants, who are legally able to perform more tasks.
The demand for certified dental assistants remains strong as society places more focus on preventive dental care and as more senior citizens retain their natural teeth. Employment of dental assistants is projected to increase 36 percent from 2008 to 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Median annual wages of dental assistants in May 2008 were $32,380, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics.