Why Become a Dental Assistant? - 4 Great Reasons
Whether you’re passionate about dentistry or just want an in-demand career in an interesting field, becoming a dental assistant offers many rewards. You help others as part of a healthcare team. You do important work that can benefit patients, dentists, hygienists, and other assistants—as well as yourself! Find out why so many people choose this rewarding profession.
Dental Assistants Help Others
Sometimes, it’s as simple as offering reassurance to a nervous patient. But as a dental assistant, you also provide direct patient care and educate patients on good oral care and follow up. Did you know that your mouth can be a window to your overall health? All kinds of infections and diseases can be first detected in your mouth. Catching them early can literally be the difference between life and death. For example, bleeding gums can be a sign of leukemia. And gum disease has been linked to pregnancy and birth complications. Chronic illnesses can also put your gums and teeth at risk so paying attention to what’s going on in your mouth is important.
Besides helping patients, you help the dentist and other team members. In the modern dental office, you can be part of a four-handed dentistry system where you serve as a second set of hands for the dentist. You help the dentist during exams and take administrative tasks off their plate so they can provide the best care possible.
Dental Assistants Are in Demand
The demand for dental assistants is expected to grow faster than average through the rest of the decade1. You can find work in dental practices across the country, choosing general practice or specialties such as orthodontics or pediatrics. You might even find employment in government and public service sectors.
Dental Assistants Like What They Do
Most dental assistants like what they do and consider it to be not just a job, but a career2. More than half report “high” or “very high” job satisfaction. They like helping patients and being part of a team. Whether working with other assistants, hygienists, or dentists, they feel like they contribute positively to the smooth operation of the practice and the overall care of patients. They also know that what they do matters.
Dental Assistants Get Benefits
As a full-time dental assistant, you can expect to receive employee benefits. Health and dental insurance, along with paid time off, are common perks of the job. Some practices even have opt-in 401K plans.
Do You Need a Degree to Be a Dental Assistant?
Unlike a dentist who needs a degree, years of education, and training, or a dental hygienist, who can practice with an associate degree, dental assistants are not required to have degrees. That means you can enter the workforce quickly and begin earning money and building your career.
Being a dental assistant is busy, interesting, and rewarding. Does it sound like the career for you? Lincoln Tech offers a dental assistant program that can prepare you for entry-level work in as few as 10 months. It combines online, classroom, lab, and hands-on training using industry-standard equipment and technologies. Your instructors are professionals from the field with years of experience who are passionate about dentistry and dedicated to your success. Ready to learn more? Fill out the form to get started today.
This program is offered in New Jersey and Rhode Island.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm (visited April 17, 2024).
2 Dental Assisting National Board, Job Satisfaction and Career Commitment Report at https://www.danb.org/career-center/salary-report, retrieved on May 14, 2024.