Clinical Dental Assistant

What is a clinical dental assistant? What does a clinical dental assistant do?

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.

How long will it take to become a clinical dental assistant?

Most clinical dental assistant training programs can be completed in one year or less. This does not include the time you will spend participating in a Clinical Experience 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 as a dental assistant.

What are the requirements to become a certified dental assistant?

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).

What kind of hours do clinical dental assistants work?

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.

Where do clinical dental assistants work?

Almost all clinical dental assistants work in dental offices under the supervision of dentists, though some may find employment with the government or in physician 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.

What is the difference between a clinical and administrative dental assistant?

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.

What is a dental assistant versus a dental hygienist?

Dental assistants and dental hygienists are essential members of the dental office's daily operations. Dental hygienists have a larger scope of practice and additional education and are more active in patient care planning and diagnosis. Dental assistants play an invaluable role in supporting both hygienists and dentists. This position is excellent for those just starting their careers, allowing fewer entry barriers.

• Describe the roles for each member of the dental team and 12 dental specialties
• Define the legal and ethical practice of dental assisting, including HIPAA
• Explain deciduous and permanent dentition along with their functions in dental anatomy and pathology
• Describe the chain of infection, transmission routes and infection control for the dental practice, along with OSHA regulations
• Summarize the role of the dental assistant in pharmacology, nutrition and interaction with a variety of patients in normal daily activities and emergency situations
• Describe the use, care and preparation of dental instruments for patient care
• Outline the necessary components of a patient record prior to dental charting
• Use charting techniques to identify dental restorations and disease to create a treatment plan to prevent future disease progression
• Set up equipment for anesthesia and sedation
• Describe patient clinical methods and techniques to prevent dental disease
• Identify the process of exposing high-quality radiographs in both traditional and digital formats
• Describe dental materials, their uses in dental treatment and skills needed to use them efficiently
• Define the dental assistant's role in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry
• Explain the communication and business needs to maintain a dental business office
• State transferable hard and soft skills in order to complete a résumé for a dental assistant position

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

Clinical Dental Assistant students have an opportunity to participate in ed2go's optional Clinical Experience support program. The application for the Clinical Experience support program is within the course. You must be 80% complete within the course before you are eligible to reach out to a Clinical Experience Team member for program information. As a Clinical Dental Assistant student, you have up to six months after course completion to apply, but please note Clinical Experiences are not guaranteed. Clinical Experience expectations are based on current professional certification requirements, which are presently a 300-hour commitment. If you meet all the educational, pre-screening checks and industry qualifications, including a completed application package, you will be considered for placement based on host site availability. You will need to pass a background and drug screening. You will also be asked to purchase liability insurance and be responsible for purchasing this on your own ($40 to $45 for an annual policy). To be considered as a clinical experience candidate, you will need to provide an updated resume, cover letter, current CPR certification and proof of Hepatitis B vaccinations, or a recent negative Hepatitis B test provided by a doctor. In addition, you may be subject to providing additional vaccination status records as outlined by your state or dental clinic COVID policies or regulations.

NATIONAL ENTRY LEVEL DENTAL ASSISTANT, NELDA, CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT, CDA, AND DANB are trademarks of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc (DANB). This course is not reviewed or endorsed by DANB.

Disclaimer: To qualify for the clinical experience applications process, students must successfully complete the online course and have account balances up to date (at a minimum). Going through the clinical experience application process does not guarantee a placement. However, affiliated partnerships increase the likelihood of finding a site that matches student needs. COVID may be affecting the capacity of availability in your area. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process two weeks prior to completing courses.

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. The exams meet 3 of 3 exam requirements for the NELDA certification and 2 of 3 exam requirements for the CDA.

If you already have 3,500 hours of clinical experience and wish to pursue the CDA certification, you will need to acquire the General Chairside Assisting exam. The General Chairside Assisting exam is not included in this voucher package. Included vouchers are prepaid access to sit for the exams upon eligibility.

Priscilla Garcia

Priscilla Garcia, RDA, CPP, is a dental professional with over 20 years of industry experience. She began her career in dentistry as a chair-side dental assistant in 2002. Her work has included working chair-side and in an administrative capacity in general and specialty practices.

Priscilla has a wealth of knowledge and expertise, which she leveraged to begin teaching dental assisting part-time at Collin College in 2016. She transitioned to program managing and teaching dental assisting full-time with Collin College in 2017.

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