Are you currently working in one of the nearly 300,000 dental assistant jobs in The U.S.? Are you interested in further career advancement? There are several opportunities you have to advance your career. You have to make an important decision, however, which is whether or not you are willing able to pursue further education. Let’s take a closer look at the options you have to advance your career to the next level.
Dental assistants can proceed to become office managers, dental-assisting instructors or dental product sales representatives. However, the reality is that further education is required for significant career advancement in dental assistant jobs. A common career that many dental assistances advance to is that of dental hygienist. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 300 dental hygiene programs approved by the American Dental Association’s commission on Dental Accreditation in 2008.
Prospective dental hygienists can two years of coursework at community colleges or dental schools. Students will gain familiarity with such concepts as pre-clinical hygiene and orofacial anatomy. In order to pursue positions in clinical practice or the teaching field, it is necessary to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree. When earning a bachelor’s degree, be prepared to take courses in dental hygiene procedures. If you are pursuing a master’s degree, be prepared to be exposed to research and theory in the dental hygiene field. All prospective dental hygienists will have to ultimately earn state licensure.
Of course, working as a dental assistant may have inspired you to become a dentist. After all, dental assistants work closely with dentists to complete various procedures on patients. You must be prepared to complete extensive further education to become a dentist. You must complete a bachelor’s degree preferable in a pre-dental program. It is important that you maintain a high grade point average, as it will weigh heavily in the admission process to dental school. You will have to take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and then apply to accredited dental schools. You grade point average, DAT scores and recommendations will be critical in the admissions process.
Dental assistants do have the opportunity for career advancement based on the training they receive from their dental assistant jobs. Two common advanced career paths include becoming a dental hygienist or dentist.