How to Become a Dental Office Assistant
A dental office assistant helps with the everyday administrative tasks that must be completed to successfully run a dental office. Such tasks include scheduling appointments, making phone calls, greeting patients, filing records, and keeping track of mail, according to Education-Portal.com. Many dental assistants also help perform routine lab duties, such as sterilizing instruments or helping with X-rays or creating molds of teeth, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While there are no specific higher education requirements for becoming a dental office assistant, there are ways an individual can prepare herself for this rewarding career.
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Instructions
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Earn your high school diploma. A high school diploma or its equivalency is typically the only educational requirement for becoming a dental office assistant. High School courses that will prepare you for a job as a dental office assistant include chemistry, biology, health, and office practices, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Obtain basic computer skills by taking a computer course at a vocational school or local community center. As a dental office assistant, you'll need to be able to learn basic computer programs that dental offices use for scheduling and keeping track of patient records. Taking computer courses may also increase your chances of acceptance into a formal dental-assisting training program or into a college to receive your associate's degree in dental assisting, according to the BLS.
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Obtain a position or complete volunteer work in an office environment for a few months prior to applying for a dental office assistant position. This will help you develop the necessary interpersonal and time management skills that are essential for the job.
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Although no formal training is required, you may consider taking a dental-assisting training program that has been approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation within the American Dental Association. Through a training program, you'll learn through class and laboratory work, as well as receiving hands on training in clinical settings. Training programs typically require one year to complete. You may also consider earning an associate's degree in dental assisting, which is a two-year program offered through junior and community colleges.
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Some states require dental assistants to pass an exam to receive a state license or to register with the state as a dental assistant. Most licensing programs take 10 to 12 months to complete. Continuing education may also be required to keep your license. Certification that's valid in most states can be obtained through the Dental Assisting National Board. Be sure to check the laws of your state before applying for a dental assistant position.
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Tips & Warnings
Having some office experience prior to your first dental office assistant job or obtaining certification through a training program or an associate's degree will increase your chances for advancing into a higher role, such as becoming a dental office administrator.
