Working as Dental Assistant

[Joon1]

i understand all of you are dentist-to-be's... but i thought you'd be able to give some good information regards to my question.


how much education or exp. do you need to work as a DA?

i've done some office work such as setting up instruments and doing the suction tube as volunteer assistant. however, i feel i lack 'credentials' to be a paid DA.

can i just grab a book about working as a DA or do i have take real courses at a local career college before i start working as DA?

any input is appreciated ~ thanks.

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[pearlywhite]

I am in no way the expert, but this is just what I have gathered from tthe office where currently work. There are two ways to becoming a DA. The first is to enroll in a school program (at a CC or even at some universities) and take continuous classes to earn your RDAI and RDAII. This is the only way that you become a licensed DA. The second way is to become an "office-trained" DA. You essencially have the doctor that has hired you train you to be his assistant and you learn the ways to set up, assist, and clean up for various procedures that the doctor performs in his/her office. However, depending on state law, you will probably still have to take a small number of courses at a cc or university, especially if you are interested in acting like a DAII. For example, as an office trained DA, I was required to take a oral radiology course at a CC. Coronal polishing is another class that is usually required by law if you want to complete your DAII.
Here are some links if you want to check them out:

http://www.comda.ca.gov/da.html
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm#training
http://www.ada.org/public/education/careers/assistant_bro.asp
and more specifically:
http://www.ada.org/public/education/careers/assistant_bro.asp#education

 

[Joon1]

thanks for the great info, pearlywhite!

 

[MaxAnn]

In all working as a dental technician is more productive than working as a dental assistant. As a dental tech, you move quicker through your lab courses, so when a certain smart ass dental instructor says those dentures are incorrect, you will know this before you bring it to them.