How a Dental Assisting Course Can Prepare You for a Career in the Field

a dental assistant If you are taking a dental assisting course and currently pursuing certification, there are many things you should know before you take the leap of accepting your first job. As a new (or aspiring) dental assistant, you are always learning and can benefit from others who have been in the field for many years. To prepare yourself for a life in dentistry, here are a few career tips you might find beneficial.

Continue to Learn

If you believe once you have finished your program you are done learning, you’re sorely mistaken. Dental assistants must continue to learn about new advancements and changes in the dental industry. The same can be said for other industries. Without continued learning, everything would stay stagnant. Patients would continue to experience horribly painful procedures if individuals didn’t take the time to learn how to improve processes and reduce the amount of pain a patient feels while having a tooth pulled, for example.

Look for continuing education classes and certifications you can earn throughout your career. It will pay off in not just your skill sets, but it can also help in earning more respect from colleagues and advancement within the field.

Be Proactive

You’ve heard the term, “I wear many hats.” This often refers to an individual who does more than what their job description states. Many times, the “other duties as assigned” portion is what people often find themselves doing most. While you are in the midst of your hands-on dental assisting program, expect to develop a versatile skill set, meaning you will need to be prepared to take on various roles to ensure the dentist office continues to run efficiently and productively.

Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do. Be proactive and take on the opportunity to learn something new or assist when you can. It not only shows initiative, but it also shows loyalty and dedication to the business.

Understand Your Worth

Unfortunately, not all dentists recognize the value of a dental assistant, but the same goes for just about any profession. If you aren’t the boss, there is a chance your role or position may be taken for granted or viewed as “menial” in the overall organizational hierarchy. It’s important to make sure the dentist you work for values and understands the importance of your role. Never “settle” for a job. Instead, look for employers to offer competitive wages and benefits, and who invest in their dental assistants’ professional development.

All of these are ways in which you can gauge if a potential employer values the role of a dental assistant.

Establish a Network

Everyone needs help, and whether it is learning new techniques and technologies, or sharing concerns and achievements, a network of established peers will prove beneficial. As a dental assistant, it will be your responsibility to look for opportunities to grow and develop in your field. As you do this, talk and connect with others who can enhance your career experience. Professional organizations are a great way for dental assistants to get involved and connected with others who have years of experience and are knowledgeable about new tips and tricks.

Realize You Do Make a Difference

Oftentimes, it is easy to find yourself believing that the work you do is not important, nor are you helping anyone in the process. However, as a dental assistant, that is not the case at all. Your position within the dental office is crucial to ensuring everything runs smoothly. From serving as a sounding board for patients to assisting the dentist during a procedure, you play an integral role in making a difference in the lives of each and every patient who walks through the door.

You are about to embark on a lucrative and enjoyable career as a dental assistant. Take heed of these career tips and advice, and you’ll be well prepared and ready for this new chapter in your life.

About Dental Assistant Pro
For more than 25 years, Dental Assistant Pro has been providing aspiring dental assistants with essential knowledge and hands-on skills learning. Our philosophy is the best dental assisting training should be taught in a dental office at an affordable cost, so why not take a chance and enroll in our 10-week course schedule? It’s now more affordable than ever to become a dental assistant! To learn more about us, visit our website or call (614) 202-3919.

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Reviews From Our Students

Kenzie Clark
Kenzie Clark
13. August, 2022.
Great experience!!
kaitlyn mcgarvey
kaitlyn mcgarvey
13. August, 2022.
Quick easy way to get a dental assistant certificate. Quick way to get into the dental field. More job opportunities opened after I received the certificate. Also received radiology license from class. Instructor is easy-going & bubbly personality.
Kaitlyn Waits
Kaitlyn Waits
13. August, 2022.
Enjoyable, quick program to get into a dental office. I'm looking forward to starting my new career
Sydnee Burgess (Syd)
Sydnee Burgess (Syd)
13. August, 2022.
It was a great experience! I was very nervous about dental and wasn’t sure how much I’d like it but through this experience I feel a lot better about going into the field. Jeanie who is the instructor is also a very warm person and truly cares for each of her students and their growth in the field.
Abby Morehouse
Abby Morehouse
11. May, 2022.
Such an amazing program! Would recommend this to anyone looking for a career in dentistry.
Lilly Collins
Lilly Collins
7. May, 2022.
Had an amazing experience as a student in the Lebanon program! The instructors Abby and Jeanne are amazing and have taught me so much from skills to job search, i will be forever grateful for their help and this experience.
Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn
7. May, 2022.
Dental Assistant Pro is a wonderful program! The instructors, Jeanne and Abby, are very welcoming and do a great job at teaching their students. This program teaches you all of the basics and allows you to enter at an entry level dental assisting position at any Office. It was very convenient having classes only on the weekends and was so much fun!
Megan Sellman
Megan Sellman
7. May, 2022.
I went to Dental Assistant Pro from 7:30am-12pm, Jeanne and Abby made the program very fun and enjoyable! I learned a lot from this program and they made it easy to learn.
kiranpreet kaur
kiranpreet kaur
7. May, 2022.
I am only 18 and a Dental assistant now. I went to Dental Assistant Pro at Lebanon. It was a wonderful and thorough program. Jeane and Abby made it so easyyy to accomplish my goal. I learnt a lot in this program- X-rays, impression, diagnostic caste model and a lot of other things. Hands on training, awesome experience!!!!! Loved it 😊