How to Become a Dental Assistant
Date: July 22, 2022
Have you been looking to commence your journey toward becoming a Dental Assistant but are perplexed about how to start? This guide seeks to provide the steps to navigate through the confusion successfully. In California, becoming a Dental Assistant is more straightforward than one might think.
Get a Dental Assistant Education
A license is not required to obtain work as a Dental Assistant in California. However, procuring the requisite education from an accredited institution may be necessary for a future in the profession. Some benefits of obtaining a Dental Assistant education include:
- Skill training for work within various dental offices.
- Hands-on experience before entering the field.
When searching for a prospective school, examine its curriculum, tuition costs, and other vital areas. Speak with faculty and staff regarding school standards, consult public reviews that measure the temperature of the academic “climate,” and research post-educational opportunities. Evaluating schools generally helps one enumerate their desires and needs to choose a program that aligns more closely with their long-term goals. Some questions you should ask a future school include some of the following.
Ask These Questions
1. What Does the Curriculum Offer?
Ask about the core curriculum, objectives, and goals of the coursework. The Dental Assistant program at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts takes eight (8) months* to complete, with classes beginning every four (4) weeks. Further, our curriculum teaches the principles of front and back-office Dental Assisting and introduces the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology related to the oral cavity. We designed our syllabus with every hope of giving you the knowledge needed to succeed as a Dental Assistant.
2. What is Lab Instruction Like?
There are two parts to our coursework: lab instruction and externships. Students complete 196 hours of didactic and 388 hours of laboratory instruction. Additionally, attendees receive access to a library and a dental classroom equipped with hands-on audiovisual teaching aids, e-books, and simulators.
We believe clinical experience is an integral part of your healthcare education. Students are required to complete 180 clinical externship hours. Externships are essential because they help one transition from being a student to becoming a professional. When placed at a facility, students can assist the staff with their daily duties while under supervision. These tasks and responsibilities vary.
3. How Will I Pay For My Education?
At Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, we participate in federal and state student financial assistance programs.† Don’t give up on your dreams. We want to help you achieve your goal of becoming the Dental Assistant you’ve been yearning for.
4. What are the Steps to RDA Licensure?
After completing the required certification, the next step is gaining experience. With sufficient working hours, one can apply for a California Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license through the Dental Board of California (DBC) and take a written examination.1 To obtain a license from the Dental Board of California, candidates must have:
- 15 months total experience = eight (8) months in a program and seven (7) months and 1,280 hrs of on-the-job training;1
- 8-Hour Infection Control Certificate;
- Coronal Polishing Certificate;
- Radiation Safety Certificate;
- Dental Practice Act Certification, and Pit and Fissure Certification.
Work in Dental Assisting
Within California, 91.2 percent of Dental Assistants work in a dental office.2 Every dental office has a dentist with a specialty. Types of dentists include general, oral surgeons, prosthodontists, orthodontists, periodontists, pedodontists, and endodontists. The variety means one could have the option to work at a dental office with a specialty that interests them.
Traits That May Indicate You’re a Fit
- Do you enjoy working with adults and children of all ages? You may embrace working in a general or pediatric dental office.
- You might elect an oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s office if you would like to help treat people with diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, and neck.
- Do you love working with the senior community? Perhaps a prosthodontics office could be a perfect fit.
- Are you interested in implant technology? Maybe a periodontal office is for you.
- Do you want to focus on caring for complex tooth problems? A job at an endodontist’s office may be your match.
If you’re unsure which office you would like to work in, going to school and learning about the different specialties can help you decide. Another option for a Dental Assistant is performing humanitarian work. Some dentists even go on mission trips with their office teams. If you love to travel and do humanitarian work, you might use your Dental Assisting skills to help people in need, whether close to home or in other countries.
Start Your Journey
If you are ready to enter the Dental Assisting world, it’s time to get an education. Get in touch with us today. We are here to help you achieve your dreams and answer any questions you might have. Set up a tour or learn more about our Dental Assisting program.
* 32 Approved Instructional Weeks
† Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Citations:
1 “Registered Dental Assistant Applicants.” CA Gov, Department of Consumer Affairs, Dental Board of California. 2021. (Accessed December 15, 2021.)
2 “Detailed Guide for Dental Assistants in California.” California Occupational Guides, EDD, State of California. (Accessed December 16, 2021.)
