What Is a Dental Assisting Program?
What Is a Dental Assistant?
Besides the above skills, students will also learn dental anatomy as well as the different positions in a dental office, such as dental hygienists and dental lab technicians.
The length of a dental assistant program may vary depending on the institution you select as well as the kind of degree you hope to get. An associate’s degree is two years. However, you can earn your dental assisting certificate anywhere between 6-15 months. At Vancouver Dental Assisting School, we offer a 10-week intensive program.
Why Should You Consider Becoming a Dental Assistant?
Working as a dental assistant can be fulfilling professionally and personally. In fact, there are quite a few reasons why becoming a dental assistant is a good idea.
Growing Demand
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 8% between 2021 to 2031. This means that there will be many job opportunities for qualified dental assistants. General dental offices are not the only places qualified dental assistants can look for a job. For example, nursing care facilities need dental assistants as well.
Salary
One of the main factors that people look at when considering a career path is salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for dental assistants was $38,660 per year as of 2021. Your salary will, of course, depend on the city you live in and the type of office you work in as well. Other factors that will determine your salary are your education and your experience level. For example, dental assistants who work in large cities or specialized dental practices, such as nursing care facilities, may earn higher salaries than those who work in smaller towns or general dental offices.
Work Satisfaction
As dental assistants play a crucial role in helping dentists with dental procedures, they may feel a high sense of satisfaction from being of service. In fact, 66% of DANB Certified Dental Assistants and 59% of non-certified dental assistants report high or very high job satisfaction. These are encouraging statistics, as it demonstrates that helping patients improve their overall oral health can be a rewarding experience.
On-the-job satisfaction wasn’t the only reason cited for work satisfaction. Salary, feeling part of a team, work-life balance, and insurance benefits were some of the other reasons.
Career Growth
Although 78% of dental assistants believe dental assisting is their career, there is still room to go further. Dental assisting can be a stepping stone to other careers in the dental industry, such as dental hygienist or dental office management. Here are some career growth opportunities available to dental assistants:
Continuing Education
Additional Certificates
Specialization
Management
Flexibility
As stated above, work-life balance is a big factor in why people choose a career. Dental assistants can work part-time, evening shifts, or full-time. This flexibility can be beneficial for those who have a family or for those who have other passions.
Online Versus In-Person Program Comparison
When you’re considering an in-person program versus one that is online, there are many factors to consider. There are differences and similarities between a self-paced online program, an instructor-led online program, and an in-person program, so it’s important to research all of them to decide which will best fit your schedule and your needs.
Similarities
Course content
Certification
Resources
Differences
Structure
Interaction
Lab experience
Learning style
Technology requirements
What Type of Program Is Right for You?
Now that you’re aware of the differences and similarities, you will need to decide what works for your needs and your budget. Each option has unique advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to consider if you prefer to learn online versus in person, your schedule, and your final goals before making a decision.
Self-Paced Online Classes
If you need a flexible learning schedule where you can accommodate a job and your family, self-paced online classes are a good option. This option will let you study at your own pace rather than at a set time online. You will have greater flexibility in balancing your work, family, or any other commitments you may have. You can access the program’s lectures, tests, and assignments at any time.
Self-paced online classes are good if you are disciplined and manage your time well. You won’t have the structure of a traditional classroom setting nor will there be deadlines. In addition, you may not receive as much interaction from staff. This could be a disadvantage if you have lots of questions.
Instructor-Led Online Classes
Instructor-led online classes offer a little more structure than a self-paced online program. The online classes are delivered at specific times and in real-time. This lets you ask questions and talk with your instructors via video conferencing software.
Although you will still need the discipline and time-management skills that you would need for self-paced online programs, you have more feedback and support. You will also be able to communicate with other students.
If you can attend instructor-led online classes, then this is an alternative option that you can consider. The disadvantage of this type of program is that the classes may be at a time when you need to be at work. Or you may have other pressing commitments.
In-Person Classes
When you sign up for an in-person program, you get the full benefit of a classroom experience as well as any hands-on training offered in a laboratory setting. If you have a fairly flexible schedule and you enjoy a structured, traditional learning environment, in-person classes are a good choice.
The downside of in-person programs is that they are at fixed times and do require a moderate time commitment, which makes them inconvenient for those who have very restrictive working schedules. This is not an issue at our school as we offer weekday and weekend classes to accommondate students who also have full time jobs.
What Does Our School Offer?
Vancouver Dental Assisting School is a trade school that offers 10-week accelerated dental assisting programs in Vancouver, Washington. We are an accredited trade school as well as a certified and licensed post-secondary educational institution.
We offer in-person programs as well as online instructor-led programs, and we are the only school in Washington and Oregon that gives students the choice to choose between in-person programs or online programs. Our classes can accommodate up to 15 students.
Our facility is in a modern dental office. It is close to public transport and offers plenty parking spaces to both our students and staff.
In-Person Programs
When you apply for the dental assisting in-person program, you will attend lectures in the classroom on our upper floor. Clinicals will be in one of the fully equipped five patient rooms. There are 10 courses, which are listed below. In addition to these courses, AIDs/HIV and CPR training will be included in your coursework.
- Course #1: Introduction to Dentistry and Dental
- Course #2: Basic Dental Assisting Theory – Part 1
- Course #3: Basic Dental Assisting Theory – Part 2
- Course #4: Assisting for Operative Dentistry
- Course #5: Radiology – Part 1
- Course #6: Radiology – Part 2
- Course #7: Assisting for Prosthodontics
- Course #8: Dental Specialties
- Course #9: Cosmetic Dentistry – Introduction to Administrative Techniques
- Course #10: Administrative Techniques (cont.), Interview Techniques, CPR Certification, and Graduation
To graduate from the 10-week dental assisting program, you must pass a written exam and a clinical. You must also complete 100 hours of clinical externship hours. The class is one day a week, from 9 am-5 pm each day. Lectures are in the morning, and clinical training is in the afternoon, after lunch.
Online Programs
If you choose the dental assisting online program, you will have the same courses as the in-person program. These are:
- Course #1: Introduction to Dentistry and Dental
- Course #2: Basic Dental Assisting Theory – Part 1
- Course #3: Basic Dental Assisting Theory – Part 2
- Course #4: Assisting for Operative Dentistry
- Course #5: Radiology – Part 1
- Course #6: Radiology – Part 2
- Course #7: Assisting for Prosthodontics
- Course #8: Dental Specialties
- Course #9: Cosmetic Dentistry – Introduction to Administrative Techniques
- Course #10: Administrative Techniques (cont.), Interview Techniques, CPR Certification, and Graduation
Like the in-person program, the AIDs/HIV and CPR training will be included in your coursework. However, these courses will all be offered online.
The online program lets students learn from home on either Sundays or Wednesdays. In addition to the online instructor-led lectures, you can choose in-person or virtual labs. The tuition cost is $2,295 for the 10-week program. Register a class for only $99.
Why Choose Vancouver Dental Assisting School?
Vancouver Dental Assisting School is an accredited institution with a 95% success rate. We also have 38+ years of combined staff experience and 800+ happy students. There are more reasons we stand out.
Accelerated 10-Week Course
With our 10-week course, you’ll be on an accelerated learning track. If you attend a year-long program, you will spend a lot more in tuition and other associated costs. In addition, one year is a long time to take off if you have other responsibilities, such as a job and a family. When you enroll in our program, you will get intensive hands-on training for 10 weeks. Plus, you will be performing clinical assignments in a fully equipped dental office.
Financial Assistance
Vancouver Dental Assisting School has not had a tuition increase since 2020! What’s more, our tuition is more affordable as we now have tier pricing and online programs. We even offer financial assistance and payment options for students.
WorkSource Washington
Our in-person and online programs are backed by WorkSource, which is a State Funded Program. If you need financial assistance, you can contact your local Worksource office to see what kinds of requirements you need.
Scholarships
If you are from a low-income family making $2,000 or lower per month, you may qualify for our scholarships that give up to $1,000 off.
In-house Payment Plans:
You can also divide your total tuition into weekly or monthly payments for as low as $250/m. Check out all available payment plans today!
2-for-1 special
We are currently offering a 2-for-1 special for our in-person classes. If you and your friend or a family member sign up for a dental assistant in-person class, the tuition for two is $5,895. There are 0% interest payment plans available, and payments can be as little as $250 a month. Call us to see if this offer is still valid!
Ready to Reserve Your Spot?
When you’re ready to make a choice, contact us at Vancouver Dental Assisting School. We can help you answer any questions you have regarding our dental assistant program and what certifications you will graduate with. As we are on the border of Washington and Oregon, we also get many Oregon students. Their state requirements are a little different, and we can talk further about what those requirements are and how you can go about getting them.
Interested in becoming a dental assistant? Take advantage of either our in-person or online program by registering below!
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