Think About Your Future Dental Career Path-
As a dental assistant, you have so many options to grow professionally and expand your career. The biggest challenge you will have is determining where you want to grow. When weighing your options, it is important to keep in mind what skills you will learn and your areas of interest for growth.
Once you are a dental assistant, you can broaden your chairside role or shift your focus in the dental field. As you explore each path’s potential, here are some key points to consider.
Expanding Your Dental Role -
If you love patients, helping people, and promoting wellness, working chairside might be a good path for you. There is a wide array of duties for chairside dental assistants, and growth opportunities can include everything from becoming a certified dental assistant to becoming a dental hygienist, front office manager, educator, or even dentist.
Become a Certified Dental Assistant- Earning your Certification is a wonderful way to gain recognition and increase your earning potential. If you’re considering certification, but are unsure of where to start, check out How to Become a Dental Assistant. Become an X-ray and Expanded Function Dental Assistant- Expanding the functions you can perform as a dental assistant is a great way to take on more responsibilities and stand out in your office. To learn more, check out how to get your Florida XRAY or EFDA certifications in one day if you already have on-the-job training experience. Become a Dental Hygienist- Advancing your career to include cleaning teeth and advising patients comes with a lot of perks, including increased pay and work hour flexibility. To do this, you will need to earn at least your Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene and complete licensing examinations specific to your state. Check your local college to see who has a dental hygiene program in your area.
Become an Office Manager- The role of dental office manager varies widely from office to office, but generally includes front office duties, managing staff, handling accounting and human resource duties, and keeping the office running smoothly. While no formal education is required to be a dental office manager, it generally requires extensive on-the-job training, and oftentimes some continuing education. It’s increasingly common for office managers to hold a degree in business.
Become an Educator- Teaching dental assisting is a rewarding way to share your experience and help others. While some dental assisting educators are able to obtain jobs based on their dental assisting work experience, dental assisting programs depending on the state will have varying requirements. Some may require a Bachelor’s Degree to become a professional dental assisting educator.
Become a Dentist- As the most advanced role within a dental practice, becoming a dentist requires a substantial educational commitment. All dentists have to have a college degree, complete 4 years of dental school, and pass a series of state licensing examinations to get their D.D.S. or D.M.D. Some also choose to continue their professional education by completing a residency program in a dental specialty. More information can be obtained from your local state dental board.
Dental Assisting Institute has served Central Florida since 2000. We offer a 10-week entry-level dental assistant training programs, or for those dental assistants who already have on-the-job training, we offer CPR classes, Florida X-ray & EFDA certification classes in just one day!
Dental Assisting Institute Inc.
Pinellas Park, Florida 33781
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