Picture this: a career in the healthcare industry with minimal educational requirements, room for advancement, and excellent job opportunities. Sound enticing? If so, you may want to consider enrolling in an online education program to earn your dental assistant certificate. Dental assistants work under the supervision of dentists, performing a variety of laboratory, office, and patient care duties, from taking x-rays to scheduling appointments.
Earning a Medical Dental Assistant Certificate
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that while this occupation offers on-the-job training, some dentists prefer assistants who have completed training programs, most of which take only a year or less to complete. Common coursework provides instruction in:
- Dental terminology
- Orofacial anatomy & physiology
- Preventative dentistry
- Office administration duties
- Dental radiography
Completing your education online is a great way to learn the skills required of dental assistants without the stressful schedule-overhaul that traditional school often necessitates.
Career Outlook
- Employed workers: 303,200 (dental), 560,800 (medical)
- Mean annual wages: $36,260 (dental), $31,220 (medical)
- Projected growth, 2008-2018: 25 percent (dental), 29 percent (medical)
- Education time commitment: One to two years
- Percentage of dental assistants who work part time: 33 percent
- Surprising employer of dental assistants: Federal government
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014 data