How the Dental Assisting Major Prepares You for the Job Market
Dental assisting is the act of efficiently and safely working in a clinical dental setting. Dental health is important, as the younger generation is beginning to realize. An astounding 63 percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 64 visited a dentist in 2007, according to the latest information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, still far too many adults have untreated cavities and tooth decay problems, which can not only cause discomfort, but may affect overall health as well. Dental assistants are needed more than ever to take care of the countryís oral health, especially as the population ages and increases. To prepare for these responsibilities, dental assisting majors take courses in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and other courses related to bettering the studentís understanding of dentistry practices and equipment use. These skills prepare dental assisting majors for a successful future in working alongside dental teams to provide the best care.
Best Career Paths for Dental Assisting Majors
Dental assisting is a narrow but highly rewarding field. The best career paths for dental assisting majors are:
- Dental Assistant. Dental assistants have the primary responsibility of helping dentists run their practices. Their duties include sterilizing equipment and tools, preparing the instruments needed for each procedure and patient, and help keep patients comfortable during dental procedures. Dental assistants often have the duty of preparing dental molds and casts, and they also educate patients on how to care for their teeth after a dental procedure. Many dental assistants handle administrative duties as well, such as booking appointments, updating patient medical records, handling billing, and keeping the office well supplied with dental equipment. Dental assistants earn an average salary of $32,380 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Dental Hygienist. Although a dental hygienist requires certification that is different than that of a dental assistant, a dental assisting majorís background in dentistry will serve well in this occupation as well. Dental hygienists clean the teeth of patients, removing the hard and soft deposits from the teeth in order to restore them to clean and pristine condition. Hygienists also educate patients on how to keep their teeth free of stains, tartar buildup, deposits, and other things that damage oral health. Dental hygienists may administer anesthesia to numb the mouth of the patient before a procedure. Dental hygienists earn an average salary of $66,570 annually, according to the Bureau.
How to Market Your Dental Assisting Degree
Your dental assisting degree has provided you with an educational that makes you a valuable candidate for many entry-level health care occupations as well as several more advanced positions in dentistry. To ensure that employers understand the value of your degree, be sure to emphasize all of the real-world skills your college education has taught you. For example, stress how the research projects and clinical work you participated in have helped you hone your analytical and problem-solving skills. The best way to market your dental assisting degree is to prove that you can take the skills you learned in school and successfully integrate them into field work.
