Kansas Dental Assistant Schools & Training Programs

Dental Assistant Job Overview

Dental assistants often perform a wide variety of tasks in a dental office. Tasks vary from one office to another, depending on staffing situations and the size of office. For example, some offices which may not have a secretary will require the assistant to perform clerical duties. Some offices may have several dental assistants, so tasks will be shared. Regardless of whether the assistant works in the office or the exam room, it is important to know that dental assistants are a crucial necessity to the dentist.

Roles & Responsibilities

Dental assistants working in a clerical setting will often be seen greeting patients, answering phones, scheduling and filing. The most common tasks performed by the dental assistant involve preparing visitors for their dental exam. During the exam, the assistant may stand chair-side to the dentist, handing over tools and other required items. Also the dental assistant usually performs and develops X-rays, makes impressions of a client’s teeth and sterilizes the room and dental tools after each use.

Salary Outlook

Dental assistants in Kansas may expect to be paid between $24,000.00 and $26,000.00 per year as a first-time dental assistant. Salary amounts vary; careers in smaller offices in small towns pay less while careers in larger offices in bigger cities will pay higher. Once experience has been gained, higher pay scales up to about $33,000.00 after several years may be expected.

Educational Requirements

Those who plan to enroll in a dental assistant program will need a high school diploma. Many colleges and vocational schools offer an accredited dental assistant program. Some dental assistant programs span the length of one year and offer a certificate upon completion. Many programs are available in a two-year setting where an Associate degree is earned. Assistants holding an Associate degree will have the opportunity to become a Registered Dental Assistant.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is widely available in the form of scholarships and grants, both of which are free. Most grants awarded are federally funded. Federal student loans yielding a low interest rate are also available. Students will need to complete a FAFSA form and submit it to the school’s financial aid office.

Schools in Kansas

Anthem College Kansas City: Students who complete the Associate of Science degree in Dental Assisting can compete for several types of dental assistance assisting jobs, including dental radiography, chair-side assistant, and dental administrative assistant positions. The Associate of Science degree program can be completed in as little as 20 months, although this may vary by location.

Concorde Career Colleges Kansas City: As a student in the Dental Assistant/Assisting program at Concorde Career Colleges, you will be prepared to work alongside a dentist in his or her front office. Through the program, you will receive “multi-tasked” training, which means you will receive education in both clinical and administrative capabilities in a healthcare field that is in demand. Students in our Dental Assistant/Assisting program earn their diploma in 9 months. The Dental Hygiene program at Concorde Career Colleges provides the education and training you need to become a professional in this growing healthcare field. Dental Hygienists provide dental health education, prevent and treat oral disease, promote and encourage the preventive aspects of dental care and assume responsibility for patient care in the dental office. Students in our Dental Hygiene program earn their Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in 17 months.