How Long Does It Take To Become a Dental Assistant?
Choosing a career is a significant decision, and a critical part of making that choice is understanding the time commitment involved. If you’re considering becoming a dental assistant, you might be wondering how long it will take to complete your training and start your new career. This article will help clarify the path to becoming a dental assistant, including the typical timeline and factors that can affect it.
A Brief Overview of Dental Assisting
Before diving into the timeline, let’s briefly recap what a dental assistant does. Dental assistants play a crucial role in the smooth running of a dental practice. They provide patient care, assist with dental procedures, manage records, schedule appointments, and keep the dental office running smoothly. With diverse responsibilities, dental assistants need to be adaptable, capable, and empathetic individuals.
The Path to Becoming a Dental Assistant
Becoming a dental assistant typically involves three steps: education, practical experience, and certification. Let’s break down each of these steps to get a sense of the timeline involved.
1. Education
The first step towards becoming a dental assistant is to complete a dental assistant education program. This program should provide a comprehensive understanding of dental assisting’s fundamental tasks and duties. The length of these programs can vary depending on the format and the institution. Some programs may take up to a year or longer to complete, especially if they are part-time.
However, at 90 Day Dental Assistant, we believe that quality education can be both efficient and flexible. Our online dental assistant program is designed to be completed in 90 days or less if you study full-time. It’s self-paced, allowing you to fit your education around your other commitments. This means that you could potentially start your new career in dental assisting in as little as three months!
2. Practical Experience
While the educational component of the training can be completed relatively quickly, gaining practical experience is also a vital part of becoming a dental assistant. This experience is typically acquired through an externship, where you’ll have the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge you’ve learned in a real-world dental office setting.
The length of the externship can vary, but typically they last a few weeks to several months. At 90 Day Dental Assistant, we provide externship coordination at no extra cost to help our students gain valuable practical experience.
3. Certification
Once you’ve completed your education and gained practical experience, the final step is to become certified. The certification process involves passing an examination, such as the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam or the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam.
Preparation for these examinations can take a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on how much time you dedicate to studying. Once you pass the exam, you are eligible to work as a certified dental assistant.
Total Time to Become a Dental Assistant
Adding all these steps together, the total time to become a dental assistant can range from a few months to over a year, depending largely on the format of the education program and how quickly you complete the externship and certification.
Begin Your Journey with 90 Day Dental Assistant
At 90 Day Dental Assistant, we’re committed to providing high-quality, flexible education that prepares our students for successful careers in dental assisting. With our online, self-paced program, you can start your new career in as little as three months.
We also provide assistance with resume writing and job placement, including externship coordination, to help you transition smoothly into your professional role. With a 98% success rate of our students finding a career after completion of our program, we’re confident in our ability to help you achieve your career goals.
Start your journey towards becoming a dental assistant with 90 Day Dental Assistant today. Your future begins here!
Considering Personal Commitments
One aspect to consider when looking at the timeline to become a dental assistant is your personal situation. Depending on other commitments, such as work or family, the time it takes for you to complete your education can vary. A self-paced program like the one offered by 90 Day Dental Assistant offers a significant advantage, allowing you to balance your education with other responsibilities without sacrificing quality or depth of learning.
Planning for Success
Becoming a dental assistant is a commitment, but it can lead to a rewarding career. The time you invest in your education and training can significantly impact your future success in the field. Make sure to plan your time wisely and take advantage of the resources available to you. Our team at 90 Day Dental Assistant is always available to support and guide you through the process.
A Note on Continuing Education
Finally, it’s important to note that education does not stop once you become a dental assistant. The field of dentistry is always evolving, and continuing education is crucial to staying current and providing the best patient care. Most states require dental assistants to complete a certain amount of continuing education hours each year to maintain their certification.
In conclusion, the time it takes to become a dental assistant can vary, but with the right program, it can be done in a matter of months. At 90 Day Dental Assistant, we’re proud to offer a program that blends quality, flexibility, and speed to get you started on your dental assisting career as quickly as possible. So why wait? Your journey to a rewarding career in dental healthcare could start today!