Dental Assistant Programs in Shangri La On The Lake Georgia

Dental care is one of the most important aspect of health care in the country. Many people spend a lot of money in oral care simply because good oral health is the key to a healthier life. It takes years of education to become a dentist, thus the reason why the salary compensation is remarkable. Just like other medical fields, dentists cannot succeed without the help of the dental assistants. Dental assistant job demand has substantially increased over the past ten years in all parts of the country, especially in Shangri La On The Lake, Georgia. Dental assistant job demand does not depend on the economy and the training program only takes about one year to complete. Dental assistant salary ranges from 22,000 a year to 46,000 a year with the median income of 32,000 in 2008, depending on the location. About 93 percent of all dental assistants work in the dental clinic, and the rest work in government facilities. Dental assistant jobs are expected to grow 36 percent in the next ten years, which is a lot higher compare to other occupation.

Dental assistant duties include but not limited to filing paper work with insurance company, sterilizing equipments, preparing patients for dental procedures, taking x-rays, and scheduling appointments. Due to the flexibility of the job, about 50 percent of all dental assistants work part time. This makes it an ideal job for the working mothers and college students who are looking to earn some extra cash. Depending on the location of the job, many dental assistants qualify for medical benefits and vacation time even if they only work part time.

Dental Assistant Training in Shangri La On The Lake, GA

One of the reasons why dental assistant jobs are high in demand is because there is no formal training/education required. It is generally easy to obtain a certificate. Students who completed their high school diploma can enroll in the Commission on Dental Accreditation program to receive a certificate in dental assistant. This program usually takes one year to complete and training includes laboratory courses and hands-on experience. Those that wants to proceed further could also enroll in a two-year program (the Associate Degree) that are usually offered by many community colleges or vocational school. Dental assistant certificate can also be obtained through the job. In fact, many dental assistants received their credential via on-the-job training. Another option is online schooling, which offers the flexibility of being able to attend classes at anytime without having to step foot onto campus. Some states require the Dental Assisting National Board certificate, which can be obtained after completing all the course work/training from an accredited institution. Although dental assistant job does not require initial extensive education, a good dental assistant is expected to continuously learn new technology to keep up with patients’ needs.

Being a dental assistant also open doors to many other career advancement in the dental health industry such as dental hygienist, dentist, office manager, dental product sales representative, or dental instructor. These positions, however, require further education.