What training does a dental asst need?

Dental assistant training programs include classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. Classroom instruction covers topics such as:

General dentistry

Dental anatomy

Oral hygiene

Pharmacology

Radiation safety

Medical terminology

Billing and insurance

Classroom instruction is typically followed by clinical experience, where dental assistants work with patients under the supervision of dentists. Clinical experience covers topics such as:

Patient care

Dental procedures

Sterilization and disinfection

Lab techniques

Communication skills

Dental assistant programs can vary in length from 9 months to 2 years. Some dental assistants choose to obtain additional training in specialties such as orthodontics or oral surgery.

Prerequisites

To be accepted into a dental assistant program, applicants typically must have a high school diploma or equivalent and be at least 18 years old. Some programs also require applicants to take a standardized test such as the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam.

Certification and licensure

Once you have completed a dental assistant program and passed the DANB exam, you can then apply for certification and licensure. The American Dental Association (ADA) offers certification for dental assistants who meet its requirements. In addition, many states require dental assistants to be licensed in order to practice.