Clinical Dental Assistant Training (Vouchers Included)

Dental assistants play a valuable role in any dental care team, often handling a variety of tasks from assisting with treatment procedures to administrative duties.

About This Program

This Certificate Program course provides students with real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants. Candidates will learn about the twelve dental specialties and the roles of each member of the dental team. Additionally, they will learn how to use, care for, and prepare dental instruments, and how to create patient treatment plans to prevent future disease progression.

 

Prepare for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Exam Online 

This 100% online course will help you gain the technical skills you need to join a dental office as a clinical dental assistant. Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive vouchers to sit for the Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology (AMP), Infection Control (ICE), and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) portions of the Dental Assisting National Board examinations. 

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Clinical dental assistant jobs vary based on the dental office and the state your work in.
Clinical dental assistant jobs vary based on the dental office and the state your work in.
What is a Clinical Dental Assistant?

Clinical dental assistant jobs vary based on the dental office and the state your work in. Typical duties include preparing patients for treatment, sterilizing tools, instructing on proper dental hygiene, passing instruments to the dentist during procedures, keeping records of treatments, scheduling appointments and processing x-rays.

 

Dental assistants work very closely with dental hygienists.
Dental assistants work very closely with dental hygienists.

Clinical Dental Assistant Career

Most dental assistants work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, however, there are some dental assistants that work part-time. Many of the hours will be worked during the day, but depending on your dental office, you may be asked to work some evenings or weekends.

Almost all clinical dental assistants work in dental offices under the supervision of dentists, though some may find employment with the government or in physicians’ offices. Dental assistants work very closely with dental hygienists. In this position, you will be on your feet for large portions of the day and wear surgical masks, safety goggles, gloves, and protective clothing to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. 

 

In addition to education and region, factors such as specialty, industry, and employer also influence a clinical dental assistants' salary.
In addition to education and region, factors such as specialty, industry, and employer also influence a clinical dental assistants' salary.

Clinical Dental Assistant Salary Expectations

In 2021, the average Clinical Dental Assistant made:

  • an average of $22.88 an hour
  • a average yearly salary of $47,896

The states with the highest employment rates for Clinical Dental Assistants are:

  1. California
  2. Texas
  3. Florida and,
  4. New York

 

 

Most clinical dental assistant training programs can be completed in one year or less.
Most clinical dental assistant training programs can be completed in one year or less.
Clinical Dental Assistant Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Qs)

 

Q: What are the requirements to become a certified dental assistant?
A: To become a certified dental assistant, you will need to pass the three components of the dental assisting national board (DANB) certification exam and meet the board’s work experience requirements. You will need to pass the radiation health and safety, infection control, and general chairside components of the DANB certification exam as well as complete at least two years of work experience (or a minimum of 3,500 hours accrued over a two to four year period).  

Q: How long will it take to become a clinical dental assistant? 
A: Most clinical dental assistant training programs can be completed in one year or less. This does not include the time you will spend working in an externship or similar position to gain experience in the field.

It also does not include the required two years of work experience you will need to become certified. 

Q: What is the difference between a clinical and administrative dental assistant? 
A: While both roles are important components of the dental staff, an administrative dental assistant focuses more on the office's administrative tasks, such as greeting patients, collecting patient information, filling out medical forms, organizing office records, and other clerical tasks.

On the other hand, a clinical dental assistant helps dentists and dental hygienists with treatment procedures, sterilization and disinfection of dental tools, patient charting, taking vital signs, processing quality radiographs (x-rays), and more.

Course Details

 

Real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants 

Essential information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care, and communication, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, assisting in specialty practices, employment strategies, and much more

Explore the basics of maintaining computerized clinical dental records using Dentrix Practice Management software

There are no prerequisites to complete this course. However, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to sit for national certification exams.

  1. The Dental Profession
  2. Communication Skills
  3. Ethics for the Dental Assistant
  4. Basic Dental Sciences
  5. Dental Anatomy
  6. Oral Pathology
  7. Infection Control
  8. Hazardous Materials
  9. Caring for Exceptional Patients
  10. Pharmacology for the Dental Assistant
  11. Emergency Management
  12. Oral Health and Nutrition
  13. The Dental Office
  14. Dental Instruments
  15. Introduction to Chairside Assisting
  16. New Patients and Charting
  17. Introduction to Dentrix Learning Software (Optional)
  18. Anesthesia and Sedation
  19. Preventative Care
  20. Radiation Health Safety
  21. Extraoral and Digital Radiology
  22. Dental Emergency Procedures and Amalgam Restorations
  23. Composite Procedures and Laboratory Materials
  24. Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
  25. Dental Specialties
  26. Dental Implants and Fixed Prosthetics
  27. Computerized Restorative Systems and Removable Prosthodontics
  28. Cosmetic Dentistry
  29. Dental Practice Management
  30. Your Dental Career

 

Cindy Lamkin 

Cindy Lamkin has been employed in the dental field for over 20 years. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in dental hygiene and holds Registered Dental Assistant and Registered Dental Hygienist credentials. In addition to practicing clinical hygiene, she has also worked in dental office administration and treatment coordination. Her career includes general dentistry, as well as specialty practices of periodontics, endodontics, pedodontics, and orthodontics. 

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Take Your Education and Career to the Next Level!

Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
668 Robert and Trudie Perkins Way
Tallahassee, FL 32310

P: (850) 599-3796, E: famuce@famu.edu


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