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Online Dental Assistant Courses

From sterilizing tools to making patients comfortable, dental assistants are valued for their professional care and ability. Dental assistant programs online could prepare you for a growing career as a dental assistant.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects good job opportunities in the coming years for dental assistants, with a 36 percent projected increase from 2008 to 2018. The position is expected to be one of the fastest-growing of all occupations between 2008 and 2018.

Dentists across the country need trained dental assistants, and dental assistant training programs offer the education you require. Other benefits of working as a dental assistant may include flexible work weeks, as over a third of dental assistants work part time. According to the Dental Assisting Nursing Board, 86 percent of dental assistants in 2008 received paid vacation time from employers, while over half received health benefits.

Dental Assistant Training Programs Online

Earn important dental assistant training from a trusted source. While some dental assistants learn their skills on the job, a growing number of dentists look to hire assistants with formal dental assistant training on their resume. In a typical dental assistant training program, you'll learn the following essentials:

• X-ray procedure and processing
• Patient record creation and maintenance
• Examination procedures
• Chair-side assisting

Most dental assisting program can be completed in about a year, though the amount of coursework you take at once will affect how long you're in school. Two-year dental assisting associate degrees are available as well. Most states require dental assistants to be registered or licensed, but requirements for training and licensure vary from state to state.

If you're looking for a broader scope of training, medical assistant training offers clinical and professional preparation for a wider range of medical offices. While some dentists still prefer specialized dental assisting training, you may have success with a medical assisting degree.

A Day in the Life of a Dental Assistant

From keeping patient records or setting up tools to polishing teeth and making appointments, a typical day in the life of a dental assistant means a wide range of clinical and office duties. Dental assistants enjoy the variety in a day, though some may prefer to specialize in more clinical situations.

The BLS reports that dental assistants earned mean annual wages of $34,000 in 2009, which translates to a mean hourly wage of $16.35. Over 294,000 dental assistants were employed across the U.S. in 2009, and those who didn't work in dentists offices worked in physicians' offices, governmental settings, and in schools.

Explore Dental Assistant Programs Online

Working towards a degree or certification in dental assistant training online means efficiently boosting your resume while learning more about the career. Because advancement opportunities are rare without continued education, training is highly recommended. Once you become a dental assistant, you may choose to return to school and continue your training in order to become a dental hygienist.