Dental Assistant Training

By allied health world contributing writer
Published: January 12th, 2010

How much schooling is required to become a dental assistant?

This depends on the state the individual resides in. Some states just require on-the-job training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the American Dental Association “approved 269 dental-assisting training programs in 2006.” Included in the programs are classroom, laboratory, and pre-clinical components. Dental assistant training programs, which lead to earning a certificate, take a year or less to complete.

Do you have to receive state licensure to practice as a dental assistant?

As with most health care jobs, each individual state mandates what duties dental assistants are allowed to perform. Licensure or Dental Assistant Training

registration, gained after passing a written or practical exam, is a requirement in some states. A variety of dental assistant schools are available that help prepare graduates for state licensure. Those states that require licensure typically have continuing education requirements in order to remain current. Other states permit dental assistants to handle whatever job the dentist deems appropriate to delegate to them. More advanced tasks, such as taking x-rays, may require additional training or certification depending on the state.

Are there continuing education requirements for this job?

Continuing education requirements can vary from one state to the next but typically dental assistants are required to get 12 hours per year. Also, there is usually a fee of around $100 for renewal of certification. An up-to-date CPR card is also a requirement for a job in this field.

Do you have to become certified to practice as a dental assistant?

The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) offers certification and is recognized in over 30 states. Becoming certified is like receiving a “stamp of approval” indicating that qualifications have been met, and ability to perform the job has been demonstrated. The DANB certification exam can be taken after graduating from an accredited dental assistant training program, or by having two years of fulltime experience in the field. Having current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation is another requirement to become certified as a dental assistant. To maintain certification, continuing education units must be earned and submitted to the DANB.