| Dental assistant education can only begin after one | | | | office emergencies, pharmacology and head and neck |
| has successfully graduated from High School or has | | | | anatomy. During the last semester of the program, |
| acquired equivalent qualifications. For anyone seriously | | | | students will be required to complete a clinical rotation |
| interested in pursuing a career as a dental assistant it | | | | that takes in two or three dental offices. The |
| is advisable that they make early preparations starting | | | | curriculum for different semesters may be something |
| from selecting the right subjects whilst in high school | | | | similar to what is given below: |
| which would include biology, chemistry and health. With | | | | A good educational institution offering programs in |
| a science biased high school education, it will be | | | | dental assisting will have the necessary infrastructure |
| possible to enroll for a dental-assisting training program | | | | in place to impart the best education to its students. |
| conducted by an institution accredited by the | | | | These facilities may include computer equipped dental |
| Commission on Dental Accreditation under the | | | | assisting laboratories, dental operatories, high class |
| American Dental Association (ADA). | | | | dental materials labs, x-ray rooms, sterilization rooms, |
| Usually a 1 year course leads to a dental assisting | | | | lecture areas and class rooms. When graduating from |
| certificate or diploma. For those looking for an | | | | such institutions, the students get their Certificate in |
| advanced course, they can seek admission in any | | | | Radiology, Infection Control and Jurisprudence along |
| community or junior college that offers a two year | | | | with CDA certification. |
| program in dental assistance, which will lead to an | | | | You may opt for higher education in your pursuit of a |
| associate degree in dental assisting. There are a | | | | career in dental assisting. For this you will need to enroll |
| number of lesser valued 4 to 6 month dental assisting | | | | for an associate degree program offered only through |
| programs that are conducted by numerous vocational | | | | accredited US community and junior colleges and |
| schools; however they may offer acceptable | | | | universities and which will take around two years to |
| credentials for all dental assisting job openings, many | | | | complete. On graduating, you are awarded an |
| of which only accept certifications accredited by the | | | | Associate in Applied Science degree in dental |
| Commission of Dental Accreditation. | | | | assistance. As an Associate in Dental Assisting, you |
| A typical dental assisting program leads to certification | | | | are equipped with higher knowledge and skills as |
| as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and covers | | | | compared to certificate/holders and will be able to |
| three semesters of instructions. During those three | | | | assist the dentist/dental surgeon in advanced dentistry |
| semesters a student will be expected to complete | | | | functions also like sterilization, polishing, fluoride |
| about 42 credit hours of course work that include | | | | applications, preparing acrylic crowns and bridges, |
| dental assisting procedure courses, dental x-rays, | | | | radiography certification and charting. |
| dental materials, dental nutrition, office procedures, | | | | |