Overall employment is expected to grow through the year 2014, and a career as a dental assistant is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2004-14 projection period. Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth by many individuals will increase the demand for dental services. Older dentists, who have been less likely to employ assistants, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to use one or even two assistants. In addition, as dentists’ workloads increase, they are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks, so that they may devote their own time to more complex procedures. Also, many job openings will arise out of the need to replace assistants who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave for other reasons. Many of these opportunities will be for entry level positions offering on the job training.

Without further education, advancement opportunities with a dental assistant job are limited. Some dental assistants become office managers, dental-assisting instructors, or dental product sales representatives. Others go back to school to become dental hygienists. For many, this entry level occupation provides basic training and experience which serves as a step toward a more highly skilled and higher paying profession.

A dental assistant job can be obtained without a college level education in some areas of the country, and some dental assistant careers actually begin through on-the-job-training in a dental office or high school work study program. Most dental assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing number are trained in dental assisting programs. The best way to obtain a dental assistant job is to receive formal education, studying in an accredited program provides education that is based on the latest procedures and techniques. Dental assistant programs include classroom, laboratory, and preclinical instruction in dental assisting skills and related theory. Also, students are provided with practical experience in dental schools, clinics, or dental offices. Most dental assistant programs are a year or less in length and lead to certificate or diploma upon completion. Two year dental assistant programs, mostly offered in community and junior colleges, lead to an associate degree in dental assisting. All programs require a high school diploma or its equivalent, and some require science or computer-related courses for admission. A number of private vocational schools offer dental assisting courses which range from four to six months, but the Commission on Dental Accreditation does not accredit these programs.

It takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental assistant. Although the majority of academic dental assisting programs take nine to eleven months to complete, some schools offer accelerated training, part-time education programs or training via distance education. Graduates of these programs usually receive certificates. Dental assistants then become certified by passing an examination that evaluates their knowledge.

Most States regulate the duties that dental assistants are allowed to perform through licensure or registration. Licensure or registration may require passing a written or practical examination. States offering licensure or registration have a variety of schools which meet state requirements and offer courses which range from 10 to 12 months in length. Some States require dental assistants to complete State approved education courses ranging from 4 to 12 hours in length, while other States may offer registration of other dental assisting credentials with little or no education required. Some States may also require continuing education to maintain licensure or registration, and a few states allow dental assistants to perform any function delegated to them by the dentist.

Most dental assistants who choose to become nationally certified take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination. Dental assisting certification is available through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), and is recognized or required in more than 30 States. Other organizations offer registration, most often at the State level. Becoming a Certified Dental Assistant is an acknowledgment of an assistant’s qualifications and professional competence and an asset for a dental assistant job. Dental assistants are eligible to take the CDA examination if they have completed an accredited dental assisting program or have 2 years of full time, or 4 years of part time experience as a dental assistant. In addition, applicants must have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For annual recertification, individuals must earn continuing education credits.

Individual states have adopted different standards for dental assistants jobs which require advanced duties, such as radiological procedures. Some States require completion of a State approved course in radiology and recognize passage of components of the CDA examination, such as the Radiation Health and Safety examination, or the Infection Control examination, for licensing and regulatory purposes. Completion of the Radiation Health and Safety examination offered by the DANB meets those standards in more than 30 States. State regulations vary, and some states offer registration or licensure in addition to this national certification program.

There are approximately 271 ADA accredited dental assistant schools in the U.S. The American Association of Dental Schools Application Service (AADSAS), sponsored by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA), is a centralized application service for individuals applying to dental assistant school. AADSAS simplifies the application process for both applicants and schools by allowing applicants to complete one application form. Information is then sent in a standardized format to each school that is requested by the applicant. AADSAS serves as an information clearinghouse only. It does not influence any school’s evaluation or selection of applicants, nor does ADEA recommend applicants to dental assisting programs.

The AADSAS online application and instructions are located here. ADEA customer service representatives are also available to assist applicants.

ADA Scholarship Programs

The ADA Foundation has a scholarship program for students pursuing dental assisting jobs and the number of scholarships awarded is dependent upon available funds. Scholarships help to defray dental assistant program expenses, which include tuition, fees, books, supplies and living expenses. Scholarship disbursements are made twice yearly in equal payments and sent directly to the student's financial aid office. The second disbursement is made contingent upon the student's maintenance of the required grade point average. The ADA Foundation scholarship program for dental assistants is called the Dental Assisting Scholarship.




The Dental Assistant Scholarship has a maximum annual award of $1,000. The application criteria include the following:



• All applicants must be U.S. Citizens (permanent resident status does not qualify);
  
  
• All applicants must be an entering student at the time of application and enrolled in a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association;
  
  
• All applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student with a minimum of 12 credit hours;
  
  
• All applicants must demonstrate a minimum financial need of $1,000;
  
  
• All applicants must have a minimum accumulative grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale;
  
  
• All applicants must submit two (2) reference forms, one from a dentist or dental assisting representative and/or one from a school representative,(i.e., professor or academic adviser), supporting the applicant. References are submitted as part of the application form.
  
  
  

  ADA Scholarship Application Process
  
  

  Only dental assisting programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association are eligible to participate in the ADA Foundation’s Scholarship Program. Students must contact the program director or financial aid officer at the school to request a scholarship application form, as the forms are disbursed by dentist school officials. Dental assistant program officials are also responsible for selecting and submitting to the ADA Foundation, its top two students for scholarship consideration. School officials may contact the ADA Foundation by phone at 312-440-2763 or by e-mail: famularor@ada.org to request the scholarship application form.

  
  

  Prospective applicants must submit the following for consideration:
  
  

• a completed application form, including the Academic Achievement Record Form* and Financial Needs Assessment Form*, signed by school official;
  
  
• A copy of the school or program’s letter of acceptance, if entering as a first-year student;
  
  
• Two completed reference forms, sealed and signed on the back flap of the envelopes by the referrers;
  
  
• A typed, biographical sketch questionnaire;
  
  
• A self-addressed, stamped postcard, which can be mailed upon receipt of the application of you wish to have receipt verification. Foundation staff may not be able to verify receipt of the application over the phone or by e-mail.
  
  
  

  * . These are required forms that are part of the scholarship application form that must be used.
  
  
  

  The top two (2) completed applications must be submitted by the school to the ADA Foundation by the deadline date of October 16th for consideration. Any applications received after this date will not be considered. Notification of funding decisions will be made after December 31st.

  
  
  

If you are an international student looking to student dental assisting in the US, get detailed information on studying in the US or Canada here. Good luck with your studies and I welcome you to the US in advance!

The best way to secure dental assistant jobs is to receive formal education in an accredited program. A dental assistant job requires knowledge of the latest dental procedures and techniques. The dental assistant programs contained in this list are responsible for ensuring all standards which apply to a dental assistant job are taught to prospective students and that they emerge as competent dental assistants, able to fully function in dental assistant job positions.

Below are links to all of the accredited dental education programs in the United States and Canada. Graduates receive a certificate upon completion of the program. For dental assistant schools in the US, please click on the State to receive a list of schools in that particular State. Any questions that you may have that relates to admission criteria and application processes should be directed to each dental school. The information that is provided includes the school mailing address, program administrator and contact number, if available.

UNITED STATES

Alabama	Indiana	Nebraska	Puerto Rico
Alaska	Iowa	Nevada	Rhode Island
Arizona	Kansas	New Hampshire	South Carolina
Arkansas	Kentucky	New Jersey	South Dakota
California	Maine	New Mexico	Tennessee
Colorado	Maryland	New York	Texas
Connecticut	Massachusettes	North Carolina	Utah
Florida	Michigan	North Dakota	Vermont
Georgia	Minnesota	Ohio	Virginia
Hawaii	Mississippi	Oklahoma	Washington
Idaho	Missouri	Oregon	West Virginia
Illinois	Montana	Pennsylvania	Wisconsin