California Dental Assisting Schools
Dental Assisting Career Articles and Information
A
Academy of Professional Careers
Request More Information Locations:
San Diego, CA
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Administrative Medical/Dental Assistant (Diploma)
The Administrative Medical/Dental Assistant program is designed to prepare students to enter the health profession as an administrative medical/dental assistant. Graduates will be able to function at the entry-level in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, medical offices, dental offices, hospitals and medical clinics. Graduates are also trained in medical/dental insurance coding and billing procedures.
C
Clarita Career College
Request More Information Locations:
Santa Clarita, CA
/ Lancaster, CA
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Dental Assisting (Diploma)
The content of the program provides the student with didactic, laboratory and clinical instruction in chairside assisting procedures, infection control, and treatment procedures commonly performed in a dental office setting. Emphasis is placed on the guidelines required by the California Dental Board of Examiners for a Registered Dental Assistant Program.
Concorde Career College
Request More Information Locations:
North Hollywood, CA
/ San Bernadino, CA
/ Garden Grove, CA
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Dental Assistant (Diploma)
At Concorde you will receive "multi-tasked" training, which means you will be trained in both clinical and administrative capabilities.
E
Everest College
Request More Information Locations:
Anaheim, CA
/ Alhambra, CA
/ City of Industry, CA
/ Gardena, CA
/ Los Angeles, CA
/ Ontario, CA
/ Reseda, CA
/ San Bernardino, CA
/ San Francisco, CA
/ San Jose, CA
/ West Los Angeles, CA
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Dental Assisting (Diploma)
You will gain knowledge of the basic dental sciences, proficiency in laboratory and clinical skills, and practical experience involving specialized skills.
F
H
Heald College
Request More Information Locations:
Concord, CA
/ Hayward, CA
/ Stockton, CA
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Dental Assisting (Associate's Degree)
You'll learn how to assist the dentist with examinations and fillings, prepare tray setups with the required instruments, hand materials and instruments to the dentist, and use suction devices to keep the patients' mouths dry. In addition, you'll sterilize instruments and equipment, take, develop and mount x-rays, and apply topical anesthetics as directed by the dentist. Students also make casts of teeth, trim and finish dental impressions, and instruct patients on dental health care.
High-Tech Institute
Request More Information Locations:
Sacramento, CA
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Dental Assistant (Diploma)
Dental Assistants perform various patient care, office and laboratory duties in both small and large dental practices. They're responsible for making patients as comfortable as possible, preparing them for treatment, and obtaining dental records. During a patient exam, Dental Assistants hand instruments and materials to dentists, and keep patients' mouths clear by using suction or other devices.
K
Kaplan College
Request More Information Locations:
Riverside, CA
/ San Diego, CA
/ Vista (North County), CA
/ Palm Springs, CA
/ Modesto, CA
/ Sacramento, CA
/ Stockton, CA
/ Bakersfield, CA
/ Clovis (Fresno), CA
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Dental Assistant (Certificate)
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Dental Assisting (Diploma)
Dental Assistants will be able to perform chairside assistance and office administration. The student will learn to prepare patients. The student will complete tray set ups for office examinations and treatment procedures. In addition, the student will take and develop radiographs (Dental X-Rays), mix amalgams, perform lab work, learn to counsel patients and maintain patient records.
M
Milan Institute
Request More Information Locations:
Indio, CA
/ Fresno, CA
/ Visalia, CA
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Administrative Medical Assistant (Diploma)
The Administrative Medical/Dental Assistant program is designed to prepare students to enter the health profession field as an administrative medical/dental assistant. Graduates will be able to function at an entry-level position in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, medical offices, dental offices, hospitals and medical clinics. Graduates are also trained in medical/dental insurance coding and billing procedures.
N
National School of Dental Assisting
S
San Joaquin Valley College
Request More Information Locations:
Bakersfield, CA
/ Fresno, CA
/ Visalia, CA
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Dental Assisting (Associate's Degree)
SJVC's Dental Assisting program trains you in all aspects of working with a dentist, including patient care, office and laboratory duties. Our balance of hands-on experience with classroom instruction covers all aspects of dental assisting skills and related theory. Whether you use your dental assisting training for a career chairside or in an administrative capacity, you are well prepared at the program's completion.
Summit Career College
Request More Information Locations:
Colton, CA
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Dental Assistant (Diploma)
The Dental Assistant Program is designed to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a Dental Assistant in a dental office; emphasis is placed on both dental office management as well as back office clinical skills.
T
Trinity College
Locations:
Vallejo, CA
/ Fairfield, CA
U
UEI
Request More Information Locations:
Ontario, CA
/ Chula Vista, CA
/ Van Nuys, CA
/ Huntington Park, CA
/ San Diego, CA
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Dental Assistant (Diploma)
Dental Assistants are always in demand and can work in both clinical or office situations. UEI will provide you with the skills you need to succeed in just eight months.
V
W
West Coast College
Locations:
Victorville, CA
/ Ontario, CA
Western Career College
Request More Information Locations:
Pleasant Hill, CA
/ Sacramento, CA
/ San Leandro, CA
/ Citrus Heights, CA
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Dental Assisting (Associate's Degree)
Students are trained to function as a vital partner to the dentist while following guidelines of the Dental Board of California. Emphasis is placed on actual demonstration and practice of instrumentation and operation of the dental operatory. Students become skillful at taking x-rays and impressions as well as performing coronal polish, restorative, oral surgery, and orthodontic procedures.
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Dental Assisting (Certificate)
Students become skillful at taking x-rays and impressions as well as performing coronal polish, restorative, oral surgery, and orthodontic procedures. The program includes emphasis on patient preparation, law, ethics, administrative duties, telephone techniques, and computer skills.
Proper dental care is important to every man, woman, and child. Due to the continued sharp population growth in the United States, the government forecasts that dental assistants will continue to be in high demand until at least 2014. As one of the fastest growing occupations, now is the time to enter into this rewarding and exciting career!
Dental assistants are often capable of completing a training course within just twelve months. While it is not mandatory in all states that a dental assistant be licensed, many states severely limit the tasks an unlicensed dental assistant may perform. In California, for example, the job details vary depending on whether a dental assistant is licensed or not. As would be expected, there is also a difference in the pay you can expect to receive if you are licensed versus not being licensed. This is because the duties can be so varied.
An unlicensed dental assistant in California may:
- Apply fluoride treatment
- Examine orthodontia for defects
- Expose finished x-rays
- Hand instruments to the dentist or oral surgeon during a procedure
- Handle billing
- Polish finished casts
- Pour casts
- Prepare instrument trays
- Prepare insurance claims
- Ready a patient for procedures
- Schedule appointments and greet patients
- Sterilize equipment
- Suction a patient's mouth during a procedure
Once a dental assistant is licensed, he or she can handle additional responsibilities. Those tasks include:
- Examine teeth for damage using mirrors and other tools
- Handle teeth whitening treatments
- Insert dressings after oral surgeries
- Prepare temporary crowns
- Take patient histories
- Remove stitches
Finally, a licensed dental assistant who passes the state dental examining board's advanced training program has additional job details. These may include:
- Apply sealants
- Prepare enamel bonding treatments
- Prepare and take teeth impressions for dental appliances
The pay scale for dental assistants depends on the assistant's work experience. If you are just starting out, 2007 job advertisements offer a starting salary of $33,600 to $40,800 per year. If overtime is required, the overtime rate is usually around $17.00 per hour. Level two dental assistants, which are those that have at least two years of work experience, can expect wages to range from $37,000 to $44,800 per year. Overtime for a licensed dental assistant is usually around $18.00 per hour. In most of California, bonuses are offered to bilingual (Spanish) dental assistants as well.
Job listings require a strong knowledge of dental tools, the ability to work well with others, excellent customer service skills, calm sense of being even when stressed, and the ability to solve problems independently. Dentists want assistants who require little prompting to get the work completed in a timely manner. As many tasks require precision details, a steady hand is often necessary. Things like removing stitches or applying sealants could injure a patient if the dental assistant has shaky hands.
Palomar College in San Diego has one of the least expensive ADA approved programs in all of California. The program costs $20 per credit and books cost an additional $500 to $800 on average. Ninety-nine credits are required for an associate's degree. Palomar College's program takes a full year, but it is comprehensive and offers plenty of internship-style training.
With any dental assistant program, expect to take the following courses:
- Algebra
- Biomedical Sciences
- Business Math
- Careers in Dental Science
- Chair side Assisting
- Composition
- Contemporary Literature
- Coronal Polishing
- Dental Anatomy
- Dental Assisting Seminar
- Dental Materials and Tools
- Ethics
- Introduction to Dental Sciences
- Introduction to Oral Hygiene
- Keyboarding
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Psychology
- Public Speaking
- Secretarial Skills
- Software Applications
- X-Ray Techniques and Safety Measures
Once you have completed your education, it is advisable to become certified by the Dental Assisting National Board, or DANB. The Dental Assisting National Board was established in the 1940s in order to provide patients with quality dental care. DANB's CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) test is dividing into three parts. The first covers chair side techniques. The second delves into radiation safety. The final portion of the test covers infection control.
The CDA exam varies in price. For the majority of individuals, the test costs $300 including the deposit. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required for all. Residents of Maryland are required to pay an extra $20 to report the test results to the state, but this is not necessary for California residents. In addition, active military members receive a $25 discount.
Your Certified Dental Assistant credentials must be renewed yearly. Currently, the cost for renewal ranges from $55 to $125. The DANB sends out renewal notices six weeks in advance of the expiration date. You must also gain an additional twelve to thirty hours of additional education every year.
Have we forgotten a California dental assistant school?
If you know of a school that we don't have listed here, please let us know by emailing us at info@california-vocational-schools.com.
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