Are you ready to launch your career in an in-demand field that is fulfilling and rewarding? Becoming a dental assistant could be just the right path for you, with flexible hours and strong job growth predicted. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 11% through 2030, faster than the average for all occupations, with a median annual wage of $41,180. Dental assisting education is your first step towards providing comfort and education for patients—and the online Clinical Dental Assistant course will prepare you to become a productive and successful member of a dental team.
This online dental assisting course is the most comprehensive you will find. You will learn about every aspect of professional dental assisting, including invaluable real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants and essential information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care, and communication, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, assisting in specialty practices, employment strategies, and much more. You will even have the opportunity to explore the basics of maintaining computerized clinical dental records using Dentrix Practice Management software.
After completing the course, you will have the opportunity to apply for an externship, through which you will get real-life clinical assistant experience. You will also be ready to pursue certification as a dental assistant by passing the radiology, infection control, and anatomy and physiology portions of the Dental Assisting National Board examinations – NELDA or CDA. Once you have gained clinical experience and in-person hours, you will be prepared for the general assisting exam.
Clinical Dental Assistant students have an opportunity to participate in ed2go's optional externship support services program. The application for the externship support program is within the course. You must be 80% complete within the course before you are eligible to reach out to an Externship Team (ET) member for program information. As a Clinical Dental Assistant student, you have up to 6 months after course completion to apply, but please note externships are not guaranteed. Externship expectations are based on current professional certification requirements, which are presently a 300-hour commitment. If you meet all the educational, pre-screening checks, and industry qualifications, including a completed application package, you will be considered for placement based on host site availability. You will need to pass a background and drug screening. You will also be asked to purchase liability insurance and be responsible for purchasing this on your own ($40 to $45 for an annual policy). To be considered as an externship candidate, you will need to provide an updated resume, cover letter, current CPR certification, and proof of Hepatitis B vaccinations, or a recent negative Hepatitis B test provided by a doctor. In addition, you may be subject to providing additional vaccination status records as outlined by your state or dental clinic COVID policies or regulations.
NATIONAL ENTRY LEVEL DENTAL ASSISTANT, NELDA, CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT, CDA, AND DANB are trademarks of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc (DANB). This course is not reviewed or endorsed by DANB.
Disclaimer: To qualify for the externship applications process, students must successfully complete the online course content and have account balances up to date (at a minimum). Going through the externship application process does not guarantee an externship. COVID may be affecting the externship process or site availability in your area. Students can begin researching the steps of the application process 2 weeks prior to completing courses.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive vouchers to sit for the Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology (AMP), Infection Control (ICE), and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) portions of the Dental Assisting National Board examinations. The exams meet 3 of 3 exam requirements for the NELDA certification and 2 of 3 exam requirements for the CDA. If you already have 3,500 hours of clinical experience and wish to pursue the CDA certification, you will need to acquire the General Chairside Assisting exam. The General Chairside Assisting exam is not included in this voucher package. Included vouchers are prepaid access to sit for the exams upon eligibility.
What is the difference between a clinical and administrative dental assistant?
While both roles are important components of the dental staff, an administrative dental assistant focuses more on the office's administrative tasks, such as greeting patients, collecting patient information, filling out medical forms, organizing office records, and other clerical tasks. On the other hand, a clinical dental assistant helps dentists and dental hygienists with treatment procedures, sterilization and disinfection of dental tools, patient charting, taking vital signs, processing quality radiographs (x-rays), and more.
Can I work in a dental office without certification?
Upon successful completion of this course, you will have the skills needed to work in a dental office, but regulations for the practice of dental assisting vary by state. To find out about the laws in your state, consult the Dental Practice Act, available through the Board of Dentistry. Passing the Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology, Radiation Health and Safety, and Infection Control components of the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) Certification and the Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control components of the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Certification may enable dental assistants to meet requirements for performing certain expanded duties in many states. Depending on state laws and regulations, a dental assistant certified by DANB can often perform a larger set of expanded duties.
All students are encouraged to pursue certification. Completion of this online course will help entry-level students gain employment to fulfill the required work experience. A minimum of 300 hours of work experience accrued over a two month to four-year period as a dental assistant is needed to qualify for the DANB NELDA certification and a minimum of 3,500 hours accrued over a two-to-four-year period before taking the General Chairside (not included) component of the DANB CDA certification. Certified Dental Assistant, National Entry Level Dental Assistant, CDA, NELDA, and DANB are trademarks of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc (DANB). This course is not reviewed or endorsed by DANB.
What is a National Entry-Level Dental Assistant?
National Entry Level Dental Assistants have passed the three components (Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology, Radiation Health and Safety, and Infection Control) of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification Exam and have met the necessary work experience requirements. Students must accrue a minimum of 300 hours of work experience over a two-month to four-year period as a dental assistant to qualify for the DANB NELDA certification. While regulations vary by state, National Entry Level Dental Assistants often take on more responsibility than those who are not certified. All students are encouraged to pursue certification.
What is a Certified Dental Assistant?
Certified Dental Assistants have passed the three components (General Chairside Assisting, Radiation Health and Safety, and Infection Control) of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification Exam and have met the necessary work experience requirements. While regulations vary by state, Certified Dental Assistants often take on more responsibility than those who are not certified. All students are encouraged to pursue certification. Please note: The General Chairside Assisting component of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification Exam is not included in this course, and you must obtain a minimum of 3,500 hours accrued over a two-to-four-year period of work experience to meet eligibility requirements.
What will I do as a clinical dental assistant?
You will have a wide range of important duties as a clinical dental assistant. Your job will vary based on the dental office you work for and the state your work in. Some typical duties include preparing patients for treatment, sterilizing tools, instructing patients on proper dental hygiene, passing instruments to the dentist during procedures, keeping records of treatments, scheduling appointments, processing x-rays, and working with patients on billing and payments. In a few states, dental assistants may be able to polish teeth, apply sealants and fluoride, and give topical anesthetics.
What is the average salary of a clinical dental assistant?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average median salary of a clinical dental assistant is currently just over $40,000 per year. This salary can vary widely depending on your experience level, education, and location in the United States.
- Describe the roles for each member of the dental team and twelve dental specialties
- Define the legal and ethical practice of dental assisting, including HIPAA
- Explain deciduous and permanent dentition along with their functions in dental anatomy and pathology
- Describe the chain of infection, transmission routes, and infection control for the dental practice, along with OSHA regulations
- Summarize the role of the dental assistant in pharmacology, nutrition, and interaction with a variety of patients in normal daily activities and emergency situations
- Describe the use, care, and preparation of dental instruments for patient care
- Outline the necessary components of a patient record prior to dental charting
- Use charting techniques to identify dental restorations and disease to create a treatment plan to prevent future disease progression
- Set up equipment for anesthesia and sedation.
- Describe patient clinical methods and techniques to prevent dental disease
- Identify the process of exposing high-quality radiographs in both traditional and digital formats
- Describe dental materials, their uses in dental treatment, and skills needed to use them efficiently
- Define the dental assistant's role in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry
- Explain the communication and business needs to maintain a dental business office
- State transferable hard and soft skills in order to complete a résumé for a dental assistant position
- Real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants
- Essential information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care, and communication, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, assisting in specialty practices, employment strategies, and much more
- Explore the basics of maintaining computerized clinical dental records using Dentrix Practice Management software
There are no prerequisites to complete this course. However, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to sit for national certification exams.
- The Dental Profession
- Communication Skills
- Ethics for the Dental Assistant
- Basic Dental Sciences
- Dental Anatomy
- Oral Pathology
- Infection Control
- Hazardous Materials
- Caring for Exceptional Patients
- Pharmacology for the Dental Assistant
- Emergency Management
- Oral Health and Nutrition
- The Dental Office
- Dental Instruments
- Introduction to Chairside Assisting
- New Patients and Charting
- Introduction to Dentrix Learning Software (Optional)
- Anesthesia and Sedation
- Preventative Care
- Radiation Health Safety
- Extraoral and Digital Radiology
- Dental Emergency Procedures and Amalgam Restorations
- Composite Procedures and Laboratory Materials
- Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
- Dental Specialties
- Dental Implants and Fixed Prosthetics
- Computerized Restorative Systems and Removable Prosthodontics
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Dental Practice Management
- Your Dental Career
Cindy Lamkin
Cindy Lamkin has been employed in the dental field for over 20 years. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in dental hygiene and holds Registered Dental Assistant and Registered Dental Hygienist credentials. In addition to practicing clinical hygiene, she has also worked in dental office administration and treatment coordination. Her career includes general dentistry, as well as specialty practices of periodontics, endodontics, pedodontics, and orthodontics.
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