Prepare for the Certified Clinical Dental Assistant (CDA) Exam Online
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. This 100% online course will help you gain the technical skills you need to join a dental office as a clinical dental assistant. Through interactive lessons, you will also prepare for the Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control components of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Exam.
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- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a clinical dental assistant is currently just under $38,000 per year.
- Employment is projected to grow by 19% through 2026, which is considered much faster than average. Job demand for dental assistants is projected to grow 10% over the next decade.
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 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.
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 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.
IS A CLINICAL DENTAL ASSISTANT THE SAME AS A DENTAL HYGIENIST?
No, a dental assistant and a dental hygienist are not the same. A dental assistant directly supports a dentist with small, supervised jobs performed on patients’ teeth and administrative tasks in the office. A dental hygienist will work one-on-one with patients with less supervision. A dental assistant can practice after earning a dental assistant training certificate while a dental hygienist must obtain an associate degree in dental hygiene at minimum.
- Prepare for the Radiology and Infection Control portions of the Dental Assisting National Board
- Identify teeth and their functions, as well as the anatomy of the head and neck
- Sterilization and disinfection techniques and infection prevention
- Completing patient charting and taking vital signs
OVERVIEW OF THE DENTAL PROFESSION
Introduction to the Practice of Dentistry
DENTAL HEALTH AND DISEASE
Oral health and preventative techniques; etiology of dental disease
Anatomy and Physiology
Basic human physiology, embryology and histology; head and neck anatomy
INFECTION CONTROL
Microbiology, infection control, and managing hazardous materials
BASICS OF DENTAL ASSISTING
Patient care, dental charting, and pharmacology; anesthesia and sedation, chair-side assisting, and dental instruments and tray setups
RADIOLOGY
Producing and processing quality radiographs; extraoral and digital radiography
DENTAL MATERIALS
Dental cement, bases, liners, and bonding agents; restorative materials, dental dams, matrix, and wedges
DENTAL ASSISTING IN THE SPECIALTY PRACTICE
Oral pathology and maxillofacial surgery; endodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics
DENTAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Records management; administrative techniques
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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