Career Tips & Advice

5 Signs You Should Become a Dental Assistant

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated April 8, 2016. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
dental assisting training, concorde career college

Do you remember the first time you went to the dentist? Experiences we have with health professionals as children often shape our future feelings, interactions and commitment to those areas later in life.

Imagine being able to create an environment that helps others say "Yes!" to oral health after completing your dental assistant training!

What does a dental assistant do?

Dental assistants are vital to running a tight ship. They typically work in administrative roles or treating patients under a dentist's supervision.

Dental assistant duties are as varied as the people who fulfill them. From greeting and preparing patients for care, they also assist dentists in procedures by providing instruments and operating supporting machinery like the suction device.

Dental assistants might also apply fluoride and sealants and polish teeth, depending on their licensing/certification

Five ways to know a career in dental assisting might be for you

1. You are a people person: Do people ever tell you that you have a chipper, yet calming presence? According to Colgate, "Dental anxiety and phobia are extremely common. It has been estimated that 9-15 percent of Americans avoid seeing the dentist because of anxiety and fear. That's about 30-40 million people."

A key to any dental assistant job description is to be able to help put folks at ease and ensure they have a positive experience in the office.

2. Job security and satisfaction are important to you: The dental industry is ready for you! The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics projects a nearly 24 percent growth over the next 10 years, which means your dental assistant training is in-demand.

Beyond just being in-demand, dental assisting was ranked No. 17 among health care support jobs in this year' U.S. News and World Report poll.

3. You have the heart of a teacher: With health care coverage reaching more Americans than ever, more people are making regular trips to the dentist. Through community and school-based programs, education on the importance of oral health is taking root.

That means you'll be interacting and teaching a diverse group of backgrounds and ages how to maintain their teeth, gums, and mouths for years to come.

4. You find work-life balance attractive: There's nothing wrong with a 9-5 job. In fact, it's what most current dental professional enjoy most about their jobs. The flexibility, regularly scheduled hours and team-based offices mean you can make a difference at the office and at home.

5. A fast-paced environment doesn't bother you: Dental Assistant programs will help you learn quickly that there is little downtime in a professional office.

Invest in a good pair of tennis shoes. You'll be on the move. When you're not greeting patients and helping the office stay on schedule, you'll be in exam rooms, sterilizing equipment and managing patient records.

When you're looking at how to become a dental assistant, in addition to visiting accredited dental assistant schools near you, consider if the aforementioned five things apply to you. If they do, click the banner below and start preparing for your future today!

Take The Next Step Towards a Brighter Future

Interested in learning more about our Dental Assistant program? We have a Concorde representative ready to talk about what matters most to you. Get answers about start dates, curriculum, financial aid, scholarships and more!

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.