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Dental Assisting CareersAssociate of Applied Science and or Associate of Applied Business Programs Offered at the following campuses: The Dental Assisting Program prepares graduates to perform a variety of duties including patient care, office procedures, and laboratory practices. Program Description The focus of the program will be on didactic, pre-clinical and clinical applications of dental assisting. Graduates will be prepared to work as dental assistants in private practices, group practices, and specialty practices. Occupational Objectives Dental Assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. They work chair side as dentists examine and treat patients. They make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, and obtain their dental records. Assistants hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. Assistants also sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare trays of instruments for dental procedures, and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care. Occupational Skills
The following from Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition Job Outlook Employment is expected to increase much faster than average; job prospects are expected to be excellent. Employment change. Employment is expected to grow 36 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, dental assistants are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations over the 2008–18 projection period. Population growth, greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people, and an increased focus on preventative dental care for younger generations will fuel demand for dental services. Older dentists, who have been less likely to employ assistants or have employed fewer, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to use one or more assistants. In addition, as dentists' workloads increase, they are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks, so that they may devote their own time to more complex procedures. Job prospects. Job prospects should be excellent, as dentists continue to need the aid of qualified dental assistants. There will be many opportunities for entry-level positions, but some dentists prefer to hire experienced assistants, those who have completed a dental-assisting program, or have met State requirements to take on expanded functions within the office. In addition to job openings due to employment growth, some job openings will arise out of the need to replace assistants who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave for other reasons. Earnings Median annual wages of dental assistants were $32,380 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $26,980 and $38,960. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $22,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $46,150. Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. According to a 2008 survey conducted by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), 86 percent of Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) reported receiving paid vacation from their employers, and more than half of CDAs received health benefits.
Columbus • 150 E. Gay St. • Columbus, Ohio 43215 • OH REG 06-09-1797B • 866-324-1117 Dayton • 110 N. Patterson • Dayton, Ohio 45402 • OH REG: 06-03-1784B • 888-657-7478 Sharonville • Two Crowne Point Court, Suite 100 • Sharonville, Ohio 45241 • OH REG 06-09-1795B • 866-324-4375 Springboro • 875 W. Central Ave • Springboro, Ohio 45066 • OH REG 06-03-1785T • 888-657-9550 Troy • 865 W. Market St. • Troy, Ohio 45373 • OH REG: 06-09-1791T • 888-657-9551 |
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