A career as a dental assistant is one of the most fulfilling and secure careers in the healthcare industry. If you want a hands-on career that involves patient care, organization, and clinical assistance, a career as a certified dental assistant may be the best for you. Certification not only increases your chances of getting a job but also prepares you to work in dental offices.
Here’s a step-by-step how-to guide to help you get started and succeed with the proper certified dental assistant course.
Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming a Dental Assistant
1. Find Out What a Certified Dental Assistant Does
Certified dental assistants are crucial to every dental practice. They prepare patients for treatment, aid during treatment, and handle infection control procedures. Many assist with administrative duties such as scheduling and record-keeping.
Getting certified confirms that you’ve completed an accredited certified dental assistant course and passed the required exam, showing employers that you’re ready for the demands of the job.
2. Meet the Basic Education Requirements
To begin this career path, you’ll need a high school diploma or GED. While it’s helpful to have a background in biology or health sciences, it’s not required. What matters most is having strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a desire to work in a healthcare setting.
3. Enroll in a CODA-Accredited Certified Dental Assistant Course
The second step is to enroll in a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-approved program. Selecting a CODA-accredited certified dental assistant course is important because it makes you eligible to sit for the national certification exam by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
These courses are sometimes taught at technical institutes, vocational schools, or community colleges. They usually are 9-12 months and involve classroom education as well as clinical practice in subjects such as:
- Dental radiography
- Chairside assistance
- Infection control
- Oral anatomy and pathology
4. Gain Practical Experience Through Clinical Training
A good quality certified dental assistant program will also have practical training in the form of externships or clinical rotations. The on-the-job supervision in actual dental environments prepares you for the speedy, team-oriented operation of a dental clinic.
5. Take the DANB Certification Exam
Once you’ve finished your training, you’ll be required to pass the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) exam to obtain your Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification. The exam contains three parts:
- General Chairside Assisting (GC)
- Infection Control (ICE)
There are extra requirements for some states, so make sure to check your state’s dental board for any additional exams or licensure.
6. Renew Your Certification Via Continuing Education
In order to keep your credentials active, you’ll need to renew your certification every year and earn continuing education (CE) hours. This keeps you up to date with the best practices and latest dental technology.
Taking a certified dental assistant course is the first step towards a successful and respected healthcare career. Strong job demand makes this position stable, growing, and with the opportunity to impact patients’ lives in a tangible way.
Ready to begin? Join our certified dental assistant course and start your dental assistant journey today.