How Long Does it Take to Become a Dental Assistant in California?
Becoming a dental assistant is a great career choice. Dental assistant positions are in high demand, with a faster-than-average job growth forecast. The position offers a good work-life balance, a relatively flexible work environment, a high income potential, and consistent stimulation, as the role requires diverse responsibilities.
While you consider becoming a dental assistant, it is important to know what you will do in the position and how long it takes to become one. Discover more about the classes you must take and what makes Kingsburg School of Dental Assisting different than other educational options. If you are wondering, “How long does it take to become a dental assistant in California?”, meet with our team to learn more about the requirements and timeline.
What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
Dental assistants are a vital part of a dentist’s office. Their duties ensure a dentist’s office runs smoothly and improve patient satisfaction and outcomes. While the responsibilities will depend on the state and the office setting, they generally include a mix of clinical, administrative, and patient care tasks.
Some of the clinical duties include:
- Assisting during procedures
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Preparing and sterilizing the instruments
- Making teeth impressions for study models
You may also perform basic lab tasks, like polishing dental appliances or educating patients on oral hygiene and post-procedure care.
Depending on the size of the office where you work, you may be strictly clinical, strictly administrative, or perform a mix of duties. Administrative duties that you may perform in a dentist’s office include scheduling appointments, greeting and checking in patients, and ordering and managing dental supplies.
Most of your duties require that you stand for long periods and work in a fast-paced environment. Dental assistants are an essential part of the team and improve efficiency and patient experience in the office. However, it takes time to become a dental assistant in California, so you should be ready for the time commitment and challenges that come with becoming one.
How Long Does it Take To Become a Dental Assistant?
How long it takes to become a dental assistant living in California will depend on the educational path you choose. For example, California allows on-the-job training without formal education, but this typically results in a lower salary and fewer employment options, since most dental offices and clinics prefer dental assistants with formal education.
A state-approved dental assisting program can take between nine to 12 months for a certificate and two years for an associate degree. To become a registered dental assistant, you must first complete a board-approved dental assistant program or have 15 months of work experience and pass the examination administered by the Dental Board of California. You may also need to obtain certain certifications, such as infection control and radiation safety.
What Classes Do You Need To Take?
To get the foundation you need to become a proficient dental assistant, you will need to take certain classes. These classes include the following:
- Sterilization
- Dental anatomy
- Instrumentation
- X-ray techniques
- Preventive dentistry
The Kingsburg School of Dental Assisting program also requires clinical preparation to ensure you are fully prepared to assist a dentist in various procedures within the practice.
Once you have completed the foundational dental assisting course, you are eligible to complete the other requirements that allow you to become a registered dental assistant in California. These courses include:
- Radiation safety
- Coronal polishing
- Infection control
- Pit and fissure sealants
Kingsburg School of Dental Assisting is approved by the Dental Board of California, which meets the requirements for you to become a registered dental assistant.
What Makes Kingsburg School of Dental Assisting Different?
You have several educational choices and options to become a dental assistant in California. There are several reasons why our program is different from others. As a student, you are taught by a board-certified dentist and not a teacher or on-the-job training by dental assistants who are busy keeping up with their own duties.
You get hands-on clinical experience alongside traditional coursework in a real-world dental office. We offer this so that as soon as you enter your first role as a dental assistant, you will have the knowledge and confidence you need to take on your responsibilities.
Because you are learning directly from a dentist, you will pick up the needed skills to impress your first employer. We also offer great flexibility in your education, so if you are working and want to make a career change, our program may work well with your current schedule. We also help our students get jobs as dental assistants, giving them tips and information to develop a strong resume and helping them excel in their interviews.
Become a Dental Assistant in California – Enroll in Our Courses Today
Contact us today to learn more about how long it takes to become a dental assistant in California and how this career can be extremely rewarding, with hands-on patient care, job stability, and opportunities for professional growth.
