Becoming a dental assistant can take between nine months and two years, depending on the dental assistant career path you follow. Certification programs generally last nine to eleven months, while associate degree programs take about two years to complete. Ask about the core curriculum, objectives, and goals of the course. The Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts dental assistant program takes eight (*) months to complete, and classes begin every four (four) weeks.
In addition, our curriculum teaches the principles of in-office and in-office dental care and presents the foundations of anatomy and physiology related to the oral cavity. We designed our curriculum with the hope of providing you with the knowledge you need to succeed as a dental assistant. Other credentials have educational requirements only and can be earned while enrolled in a dental assistance program or shortly after graduation. Learn about dental assistant programs by entering your zip code and requesting enrollment information.
They must have a certified dental assistant (CDA) certification by the DANB or successfully complete a seminar and radiology exam approved by the Mississippi Board within 90 days prior to the application. For example, Delta Technical College (DTC) offers a dental assistance program that provides students with entry-level theoretical and practical training in basic and routine clinical and office tasks. Not only do students take numerous dental assistance classes, but they must also enroll in general education courses. While some certifications can be earned as a student or recent graduate of a dental assistance program, others require a minimum amount of relevant work experience.
Delta Tech's dental assistance program also covers preparation for employment and includes an internship. If you love traveling and performing humanitarian tasks, you can use your dental assistance skills to help people in need, whether close to home or in other countries. Once the above requirements are met, candidates must apply for an orthodontic assistant permit through the California Dental Board. However, dental assistance programs vary in length, depending on whether you attend vocational school or community college.
Most students choose to enroll in a dental assistant training program at a post-secondary institution, such as a vocational school or community college. This program equips the dental assistant student with the skills needed to perform in a clinical, laboratory, or office environment. This represents an increase of nearly 7,000, or approximately 1640 job offers for dental assistants in California each year.