Vermont Dental Assistant Schools & Training Programs
About Dental Assistant Careers in Vermont
There are few things as precious to a person as their teeth. Although most people know they should brush twice a day and floss often, most people do not. Regular dental check-ups are therefore very important. The licensed professional known as a dental assistant is usually the first member of the team to greet the patient.
Roles & Responsibilities of a Dental Assistant
The dental assistant will prep the patient for whatever the visit will entail that day. In addition, dental assistants clean treatment rooms, prepare necessary equipment and instruments, process dental X-rays, teach oral hygiene methods to patients, and create teeth molds. They may take X-rays with the proper expanded certification. Dental assistants are the support system for the dentist they work under and greatly benefit the office and patients they serve.
Salary Outlook
Even as many job positions decrease, the number of opportunities for medical professionals is rising. Baby boomers are continuing to age, and new positions in dentistry are opening in response to heightened demand.
In Vermont, dental assistants can expect to earn an average of $31,000 per year. With additional experience, a dental assistant’s salary could reach upward of $40,000 annually. These figures do not yet account for taxes. A position in a dental office makes for a stable, excellent career.
Educational Requirements
Dental assistants in Vermont are highly advised to complete a dental assistant program in order to be a competitive applicant for the position. The typical program will offer courses in the study of dental science, dental anatomy, oral radiology, and dental equipment. Students earn certification in CPR/AED and certification for taking dental radiographs.
It also will offer clinical sessions during which a student learns in the office environment what is expected of him or her as a dental assistant. To earn the title of ‘Certified Dental Assistant’, graduates must sit for the Dental Assisting National Board examination. This test ensures they are prepared for their career.
Financial Aid in Vermont for Dental Assistant Training Schools
The Center for Technology, located in Essex Junction, Vermont, has the state’s only accredited dental assistant program. Tuition costs $5,275.00 for the six-week long summer training. Qualifying students will receive 50 percent paid tuition reimbursement from the Vermont State Department of Economic Development.
Schools near Vermont
Lincoln College of New England |  |