Dental Assistant Training
The purpose of formal dental assistant training is to teach dental assisting students the skills they need to perform as professional dental assistants. This can include hands-on skills such as handling dental instruments, sterilizing equipment and assisting the dentist. But also includes business skills for running a dental front office, and people-oriented skills for working with patients. If you are attending an accredited school, dental assistant training can be a varied, rich education that can prepare you for a strong, lucrative career.
Dental assistant training prepares you to perform all of the job duties of a dental assistant at the highest level, ensuring patient safety and satisfaction. The courses taught during dental assistant training cover a number of important subjects, and training programs typically last 9 to 11 months. Dental assistant training can be found at a variety of types of dental assistant school.
Dental Assistant Training Programs Enrolling Now
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.
Campus
- Nashville
- Philadelphia
Programs
- Dental Assistant
Fortis College
At Fortis, our students get the skills and training needed for great careers in industries that are in demand. You are now closer to your dreams than ever before!
Fortis provides prominent education for anyone regardless of your previous educational background. Get the opportunity to receive all the personalized attention you deserve to achieve your career and educational goals!
Campus
- Landover
Programs
- Expanded Function Dental Assistant
Missouri College
For over 40 years, Missouri College in St. Louis, Missouri has given students the opportunity to obtain innovative, career-oriented training through our Business Administration, Health Care, and Massage Therapy program areas. We have helped prepare students for their initial journey into the workplace, as well as helped experienced professionals with career advancement.
Campus
- Brentwood
Programs
- Dental Hygiene
- Dental Assistant
Kaplan College
A college education is important in today’s workforce. Kaplan College gives you the right mix of professional experience and classroom instruction in our accelerated programs to help you succeed in your new career! Kaplan College can help you train for a new career with diploma programs ranging in just a few months. Take advantage of all the benefits Kaplan College offers today!
Campus
- San Antonio San Pedro
Programs
- Dental Assistant
Everest College
Everest Colleges, Institutes and Universities provides postsecondary education programs that prepare students for careers in some of America’s fastest growing industries, including health care, business and technology. Everest takes a very personal approach to career education, offering small classes, intimate work groups and support systems designed to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom. Even after students graduate, Everest’s Career Services department is there to provide ongoing career coaching and help locating local employment opportunities. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Campus
- Tacoma
- Kansas City
- Skokie
- Reseda
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Anaheim
Programs
- Dental Assistant
Dental Assistant Training Program Topics
Individual dental assistant training programs vary, but they generally cover the topics below.
Patient Care and Comfort: One of the chief responsibilities of a dental assistant is making sure the patients are calm and comfortable at all times. Thus, dental assistant training usually covers courses on patient care. This is important in creating a positive experience for the patient and also keeping them safe. Panicked or nervous patients can be difficult to control and risk doing harm to themselves or other patients. During training, dental assistants learn to exhibit a calm demeanor in the company of patients.
Safety and Hygiene: Dental assistants are responsible for ensuring patients to not contract an infection from an unclean environment. As part of dental assistant training, students learn to create and enforce infection control protocols to guarantee that patients are never exposed to contaminated materials. They are also trained to ensure that fluids and substances that might be liberated by a dental procedure are cleaned, and that the patient space is sanitized before another procedure is performed.
Instructing Patients in Proper Dental Care: After a procedure is completed, dental assistants are often tasked with instructing patients on how to care for themselves at home. Dental assistant training includes instructing patients on how to keep their teeth in optimum health. Examples may be teaching patients how to brush and floss properly, how to properly apply vitamins and other medicines, and how care for sutures or stitches from oral surgery.
Office Management Tasks: Since dental assistants are essential for keeping a dentist’s office running smoothly, dental assistant training includes classes on business management. Dental assistants often work with patients or suppliers on a number of tasks that require the use of computers. Some of these duties include scheduling appointments, scheduling deliveries, placing orders, or billing.
Working with X-Rays: Another important responsibility covered during dental assistant training is taking and handling patient x-rays. Dental assistants must know how to operate complex radiological equipment, prepare patients, and record x-rays for the dentist to examine.
Benefits of Dental Assistant Training
Formal dental assistant training can prepare you to perform the day-to-day duties of a professional dental assistant. But more importantly, formal training can give you the background education and knowledge you need for the more business-oriented side of dental assisting. Being well versed in front office management and people skills is an attractive quality to have as a dental assistant, and employers will be more willing to trust and promote dental assistants who are formally trained.
Beyond dental assistant training, program graduates typically go on to become Certified Dental Assistants. This is an additional step that can lead to greater strength in the job market. Also be sure to explore the types of dental assisting courses you will encounter during training, and review a general dental assistant job description to see the context in which your training will be used.