7 reasons becoming a Dental Assistant is worth it
Dental Assisting is a great choice if you’re looking for a new career, or just starting fresh out of high school. It’s a unique career in the fast-paced medical field — where no two days are the same. If you’re interested in helping people, and making important personal connections on a daily basis, then short-term Dental Assisting training might be the right path for you.
1. Working conditions
Can’t stand the thought of staring at a computer screen all day? Dental Assistants enjoy the freedom to move around and interact with a lot of people. They perform a variety of tasks — from assisting dentists with procedures to processing X-rays. Still, there is time to sit and relax while they maintain patient records and schedule appointments. Dental offices tend to be clean, safe and upbeat work environments.
2. You can work anywhere
With a diploma in Dental Assisting, it’s difficult to feel tied down. Dental Assistants are needed in every part of the country, from big cities to smaller towns. And with so many types of specialists in dentistry — from oral surgeons to orthodontists — there are plenty of different types of offices and clinics you could work in.
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3. Connecting with patients
Working as a Dental Assistant, you’ll quickly realize your importance in the office. Patients will rely on you for assurance, comfort and hospitality when they’re nervous. A welcoming smile can make a big difference in a patient’s visit, and rarely will they hide their thankfulness.
4. Gateway to other opportunities
Becoming a Dental Assistant is a great way to get your foot in the door of the dental industry. If you decide to go a different direction after a few years of working, you’ll be in a great position to become an office manager or dental assisting instructor. You’ll also have an excellent foundation for continuing your education to become a dental hygienist or an Expanded Duty Dental Assistant.
5. Job outlook
There is a huge demand for Dental Assistants in the coming years. With the career projected to grow 19 percent through 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those with Dental Assisting diplomas can be picky about where they want to work. That means opportunities for better pay, more benefits and more respect on the job.
6. Fast training
Dental Assisting programs typically take about a year to complete — some even less. The Dental Assisting diploma program at IBMC takes just 10 months, with an option for a degree in Dental Office Administration in 19 months, as prescribed. Finish your training quickly, and get to work fast.
7. Pay and benefits
While the cost of training is relatively low, the income potential of a Dental Assistant can be exciting. The median annual wage for Dental Assistants was $37,630 in 2017 nationally, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $53,130 per year across the US, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In Colorado, Dental Assistants earn an annual mean wage of $38,660 in 2017 — about $18.59 an hour. Most Dental Assistants receive medical insurance, paid holidays, free dental care and paid sick leave.
