How Dental Assistant Positions are on the Rise
March 20, 2009
•SBC-Hazelwood
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Many students are enrolling in dental assistant certificate programs in order to prepare themselves for a rewarding career in this rapidly growing field. Employment as a dental assistant is expected to grow by 29% from 2006 to 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations is expected to be during this time; indeed, dental assistants can expect to be part of one of the fastest-growing occupations over this ten-year period Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm#outlook. Positions are continually opening because of industry growth, as well as the frequent need for employers to replace workers who have left the field for other occupations, are retiring, or are leaving for other reasons. Let's explore how this occupation is growing and why so many students are choosing dental assistant certificate programs to help them prepare for a career in this field.
Why Become a Dental Assistant?
Demand for dental assistants is growing partly in response to population growth and greater teeth retention by older people. There is also an increasing focus on preventative dental care for younger people. In addition to this increased demand for dental services, there is also a tendency for newer, younger dentists to rely on assistants more than older dentists, who are heading toward retirement. Additionally, as dentists become busier with more complex procedures, they are likely to require the help of additional assistants to handle more routine tasks. For these reasons, dental assistants will be in higher demand in the coming years. Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm#outlook.
Dental assistants can perform a wide variety of tasks. They must know how to sterilize and disinfect equipment and prepare the instruments needed to treat each patient. Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm#nature. Dental assistants work closely with dentists in providing care to patients, and they ensure that patients feel as comfortable as possible before and during their procedures. A dental assistant certificate program is an excellent way to learn about and prepare for these tasks.
Why a Dental Assistant Certificate Program?
Even though some dentists are open to hiring inexperienced assistants, earning a dental assistant certificate can prove a valuable asset in one's quest to find employment as a dental assistant. Dental assistants are responsible for keeping abreast of changes in dental tools and procedures and while on-the-job training is essential for learning about these changes, a dental assistant certificate program can provide those seeking dental assistant positions with the foundational knowledge a dental assistant must have in order to comprehend more complicated information.
Aside from industry growth, there are other benefits to pursuing a career in this rewarding field. Working as a dental assistant affords workers the opportunity to interact closely with other people, including dentists, other assistants, and patients. Because dentists rely on dental assistants to provide a second set of hands when working with patients, essential qualities in a prospective dental assistant include reliability, the ability to work well with others, and manual dexterity. Achieving a dental assistant certificate can help workers build this important skill set.
If you are interested in receiving the training you need to prepare for a career in this field. Our Dental Assistant Certificate Program is designed to provide students with the knowledge essential to pursue this exciting career. To enroll in a dental assistant certificate program or to learn more about dental assistant classes, click here.
Sanford-Brown - Hazelwood is close to many locations:
Ballwin, MO - approximately 22.2 miles
Saint Peters, MO - approximately 17.6 miles
O'Fallon, MO - approximately 22.3 miles
St. Louis, MO - approximately 20.8 miles
Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Dental Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm (visited January 18, 2009).