Job Responsibilities of Dental Assistants

Responsibilities of dental assistants include taking vital signs, preparing instrument trays, taking and processing x-rays, sterilizing instruments, administering fluoride treatments, scheduling appointments, educating patients on oral care, creating and maintaining patient charts, ordering supplies and preparing insurance forms.

Job Outlook for Dental Assistants in New Jersey

Job opportunities for dental assistants in New Jersey are excellent with this profession expected to continue growth for the next four years. Job opportunities can be found in dental offices, dental clinics, state and federal dental offices and more. Schools that offer job placement in New Jersey report a very high percentage of their students are placed in jobs quickly, due to the high demand.

Objectives of New Jersey Dental Assistant Schools

The primary objective of dental assistant training schools in New Jersey is to develop the student to achieve successful skills in dental assisting, and to demonstrate a level of competence in the required procedures of dental office practices, and techniques in the laboratory. These procedures, practices and techniques include, chair side assisting, four handed dentistry, preliminary examination, charting, patient records, scheduling appointments and instrument sterilization. When expanded courses are chosen the student shall be able to assist the dentist in advanced dental procedures and radiograph taking and exposing. If completion is satisfactory, the student shall be qualified to perform entry-level dental assistant positions, working in dental clinics or offices.

Dental Assistant Certification

Depending on the dental assistant program that is chosen in New Jersey, courses can range from 200 to 430 hours of textbook study, lab and clinical with externship of 100 hours. The student will be evaluated on all theory, performance skills, terminology and spelling. Students who complete all aspects of dental assisting are eligible to take the National Board certification exam, along with the Radiation Health and Safety Exam if the radiology course has been completed successfully. With the certification by the Dental Assistant National Board, a dental assistant is qualified to work in 30 different states. Some states require a state certificate in dental radiology as well as a DANB certification. New Jersey is one of these states. Taking the exam of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Dental Radiography and scoring a passing grade prepares the new graduate for an exciting career working with a team of professional dental staff.

Schools in and near New Jersey

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  Kaplan Career Institute

  At Kaplan Career Institute, we provide affordable, career-focused programs that not only meet the demands of the market, but also the demands of your busy life. We offer day and evening classes to accommodate your busy schedule. Our accelerated curricula give you the opportunity to earn a diploma in as little as 9 to 15 months or an associate’s degree in less than 2 years. Our instructors have professional experience and provide an inside look into some of today’s hottest careers.

  Kaplan Higher Education or its authorized agents and representatives may contact me via email or telephone to discuss these and other educational opportunities in the future.

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  Harris School

  Harris has become one of the fastest and most effective ways to begin a high growth career with excellent income potential. Harris has campuses conveniently located in Cherry Hill and Linwood. Students are instructed with state-of-the-art, real-world technologies that today’s employers are seeking.

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  Sanford-Brown Institute

  Sanford-Brown can help prepare you for a rewarding career in health and dental care, business, paralegal, criminal justice or information technology. With nearly 20 campuses in the Sanford-Brown Institute and Sanford-Brown College divisions, selecting a school that suits your particular career training and education needs is easy.

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  Fortis Institute

  At FORTIS, students are provided the skills and training needed to enter careers in industries that have employment opportunity over time. What industries you ask? FORTIS offers career education and training programs in the nursing, healthcare, medical, dental, business, information technology, skilled trades, massage and cosmetology career fields. That makes Fortis a post-secondary network of colleges and institutes with a wide variety of educational choices!

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  Central Career School

  Through a combination of an excellent curriculum, professional instructors, hands-on training, and small classes, the school dedicates itself to helping prepare individuals for a career in medical billing by teaching marketable skills that will help them succeed. The goal of Central Career School is simple: To provide our students with an excellent career-oriented training program that will teach the skills needed to obtain employment after graduation. We will work hard to gain your respect as a school that is truly interested in helping you succeed.

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  Everest Institute

  At all Everest Institute campuses, we maintain a well-defined program philosophy: provide a quality education that emphasizes practical skills; employ a highly skilled and dedicated faculty; cater to students seeking a strong knowledge base and the experience needed to succeed in their chosen fields. Our programs emphasize real-world training that is tailored to meet the needs of potential employers. The fields of study focus on industries that offer solid, long-term career opportunities for graduates.

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  American Institute

  Students have been gaining the necessary real world skills that employers expect through our career-oriented programs at American Institute for over 84 YEARS!

  Our specialized, “hands-on” programs focus in the high demand careers of Healthcare, Business and Computer Technology and can allow you to begin your new career in less time than you think.

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  Prism Career Institute

  Prism Career Institute wants to help you achieve your dream of a career that is challenging and financially rewarding. We provide quality training programs to prepare our graduates for success in the high-growth fields of healthcare, business, law and accounting.