Students who are interested in becoming a dental assistant following just a few weeks of training can pursue certificate programs at colleges such as the North Carolina Dental Assistant Training School. This program teaches a class of about eight students in eight weeks in a dental office on evenings and Saturdays. The program gives lessons using modern equipment and technology. The Dental Assistant Training Center in Washington also offers an 11-week hands-on program in a dental office and classroom. These types of programs typically require students to have a high school diploma or GED, be 18 years old and be able to learn at an accelerated pace.
To be certified in the dental assisting field, graduates of a training program that lasts just a few weeks can complete the Certified Dental Assistant examination through the Dental Assisting National Board, which is recognized by the American Dental Association. The exam covers general chairside, radiation health/safety and infection control, according to TestPrepReview.com. Weeks-long dental assistant training programs provide students with the information they need to pass this exam.
Courses in a dental assistant training program that lasts a few weeks cover topics such as dental theory, dental terminology, dental materials and procedures, four-handed dental assisting, radiology/darkroom procedures and even expanded duties. Students also learn about creating impressions and model trimming; Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements; and sterilization techniques. Students can practice the dental assisting skills they learn on each other as well as on mannequins and real patients.
Students who have completed a dental assistant training program of a few weeks can find jobs at general dentist offices. Dental assistants also can work for specialty dental offices such as endodontic offices, orthodontic offices, periodontic offices, oral surgeon practices or prosthodontic offices.
The median annual wage of dental assistants in May 2008 was $32,380. Employment of these professionals is expected to increase 36 percent through 2018 as more older people retain their teeth and emphasis on preventive dental care grows.