Dental assistants support dental care in many ways. They assist dentists in everything from minor teeth cleanings to surgery. The job is a rewarding career field with ample opportunities for growth; Dental Assisting is an exciting profession with a lot of variety and variety. Dental Assisting training will help you develop skills that allow you to help people with their dental health.
Is becoming a dental assistant in California harder than you might think? It may happen, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of an article from Your Dental Assistant, find out how to become a dental assistant in California with tips on where to start and what you need for your professional career and life.
Dental Assistant Jobs and Salaries in California
The Dental Board of California reports that 53,000 dental assistants are expected to work in California by 2022, to meet the growing demand for their services in the state. This represents Approximately 1,640 job openings for dentistry Assistants in California every year, And dental assistants typically earn $44,940 in California. The Bureau for Labor Statistics anticipates a 19% growth in dental assisting jobs from 2016 to 2026.
The rules for dental aid in California were clear. They are prescribed by the State of California Board of Dental. In California the following five professional categories:
- Unlicensed dental assistant
- Registered dental assistant
- Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Function (RDAEF)
- Dental sedation assistant permit holder
- The orthodontic assistant permit holder
Types of Dental Assistants in California
California currently has 24 programs across the State. California has many CODA (Commission on Dental Assisting)-accredited programs, which are designed to educate dental assistants on both their coursework and in clinical and administrative techniques and these Programs can be completed in less than 12 months.
Their level depends on the training, registration, and permit of dental assistants and the work on which they are:
Unlicensed Dental Assistants
To practice dental assisting in the US, you must be certified by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association’s BLS course, they must have certification in Basic Life Support (BLA), California’s Dental Practice Act, and also courses in infection control Should be. Which can be received within one year.
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
To be a dental assistant in California, you need to meet certain requirements:
1. Earn your degree from an accredited RDA educational program approved by the Board.
2. Working as a Dental Assistant requires at least 15 months of experience in dental care.
Candidate must fulfill these qualifications for RDA
1. State Written Examination in Ethics and Law
2. Certified by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association’s BLS course.
3. Radiation protection and coronal polishing courses that are approved by the board.
4. Take courses to become approved in California’s Dental Practice Act and Infection Control by the board.
You can apply for a license through the California Dental Board if you fulfill all of the above.
Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Function (RDAEF)
Registered Dental Assistants with certain qualifications need to become RDAs in Extended Functions (RDAEF) to be able to perform duties beyond the standard functions. You will need to meet the following qualifications to become an RDAEF:
1. Take an approved Board course in extended functions.
2. Get a board-approved course approved on pit and fissure sealant.
3. To become an RDAEF, the candidate must pass a state clinical and practical exam and a written examination.
Candidates must fulfill all the requirements listed above and then apply through the Dental Board of California.
Dental Sedation Assistant Permit Holder
For a dental sedation assistant permit in California, a candidate must be an RDA and RDAEF. Candidate must fulfill these qualifications for dental sedation assistant:
- A board-approved course that assists dental sedation assistants.
- The state-required dental exam on sedation duties.
- Certified by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association’s BLS course.
- Working as a Dental Assistant requires at least 12 months of experience in dental care.
- Take courses to become approved in California’s Dental Practice Act and Infection Control by the board.
Candidates must fulfill all the above requirements before they apply to the California Dental Board.
Orthodontic Assistant Permit Holder
California has a permit process for dental assistants who want to work as orthodontic assistants. The eligible candidates must be an RDA and RDAEF to obtain a permit in orthodontic assistant. Candidate must fulfill these qualifications for orthodontic assistants:
- Take courses to become approved in California’s Dental Practice Act and Infection Control by the board.
- Working as a Dental Assistant requires at least 12 months of experience.
- Written exam in an orthodontic.
- Board approved orthodontic assistant courses.
- Certified by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association’s BLS course.
All the above requirements must be fulfilled before an individual can apply to become an Orthodontic Assistant Permit Holder in the state of California.
National Certification in Dental Assisting
Dental assistants who have completed a CODA-accredited dental assisting program may pursue nationally-recognized certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Having the power to highlight your commitment and skill in the field to prospective employers and colleagues, achieving national recognition is one strategy for advancing in a career.
Dental Assistants can earn a certification from the Dental Assisting National Board if they have completed an accredited program. There are two or more component exams needed to take in order to earn that certification. DANB offers Dental Assistant certification options in order to help dental assistants learn new skills and grow their careers:
• CRFDA – Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant
• CPFDA – Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant
• COA – Certified Orthodontic Assistant
• CDA – Certified Dental Assistant
DANB offers a certificate for dental assistants who have completed at least 3,500 hours of approved work experience and graduated from an accredited program.
Conclusion
Dental assistants perform many different roles in a dental office, depending on the needs of their employer and the type of business. Dental assistants play a different role in clinics, hospitals. They make dental appointments more comfortable for patients with solutions. They maintain dental equipment, patient records, sterilizing equipment.