While many employers and states do not require dental assistant to hold professional certification, there are many reasons to hold this important credential not the least of which is an increase in the average dental assistant salary.
Currently, state requirements for dental assistants fall into three categories:
- States which allow dental assistants to perform any and all duties without certification
- States which require certification to conduct specific procedures within a dental practice, most notably radiological testing and x-rays
- States which provide specific guidelines for all dental assistants relating to certification and renewal
Regardless of the state in which you reside or plan to practice, there are many arguments for obtaining certification as a dental assistant. For some educational programs, this will be the final step in successfully completing the required curriculum as some of the course material will require certification, however, this is not always the case. If you plan to attend a dental assistant program, find out if they are accredited and offer assistance in obtaining certification as a dental assistant.
Why to Become a Certified Dental Assistant
Higher Dental Assistant Salary: One of the most obvious reasons to sit for the certification exam is the impact which it can have on the median dental assistant salary. While holding certification itself may not garner a higher wage, it will allow for expanded job duties and responsibilities which can command higher pay.
Employment Opportunities: Additionally, many dental practices will only hire dental assistants who hold professional certification. This ensures that their staff members have achieved a qualified level of professional training and will be able to offer a high quality of care to the patients within their practice.
Career Advancement: Lastly, career advancement opportunities for the dental assistant tend to be much more prevalent for those individuals with professional certification. To hold many supervisory positions, certification is required. Once you have several years of work experience on your resume, you may also consider instructional positions with a community college, vocational school, or online degree provider. These positions will nearly always require the candidate to hold professional licensing as a dental assistant.
As you can see. there are many reasons to obtain certification within this exciting field in addition to its effects on the dental assistant salary. If you are currently enrolled in a dental assisting certificate program, or perhaps are already working in the field, consider enrolling for dental assistant certification. It can have many positive impacts on your career as a dental assistant.