Clinical Dental Assistant Training (Vouchers Included)
Dental assistants play a valuable role in any dental care team, often handling a variety
of tasks from assisting with treatment procedures to administrative duties.
About This Program
This Certificate Program course provides students with real-world perspectives from
experienced dental assistants. Candidates will learn about the twelve dental specialties
and the roles of each member of the dental team. Additionally, they will learn how
to use, care for, and prepare dental instruments, and how to create patient treatment
plans to prevent future disease progression.
Prepare for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Exam Online
This 100% online course will help you gain the technical skills you need to join a
dental office as a clinical dental assistant. 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.
Clinical dental assistant jobs vary based on the dental office and the state your
work in.
What is a Clinical Dental Assistant?
Clinical dental assistant jobs vary based on the dental office and the state your
work in. Typical duties include preparing patients for treatment, sterilizing tools,
instructing on proper dental hygiene, passing instruments to the dentist during procedures,
keeping records of treatments, scheduling appointments and processing x-rays.
Dental assistants work very closely with dental hygienists.
Clinical Dental Assistant Career
Most dental assistants work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, however, there
are some dental assistants that work part-time. Many of the hours will be worked during
the day, but depending on your dental office, you may be asked to work some evenings
or weekends.
Almost all clinical dental assistants work in dental offices under the supervision
of dentists, though some may find employment with the government or in physicians’
offices. Dental assistants work very closely with dental hygienists. In this position,
you will be on your feet for large portions of the day and wear surgical masks, safety goggles, gloves, and protective clothing to prevent the
spread of infectious diseases.
In addition to education and region, factors such as specialty, industry, and employer
also influence a clinical dental assistants' salary.
Clinical Dental Assistant Salary Expectations
In 2021, the average Clinical Dental Assistant made:
an average of $22.88 an hour
a average yearly salary of $47,896
The states with the highest employment rates for Clinical Dental Assistants are:
California
Texas
Florida and,
New York
Most clinical dental assistant training programs can be completed in one year or less.
Clinical Dental Assistant Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Qs)
Q: What are the requirements to become a certified dental assistant? A: To become a certified dental assistant, you will need to pass the three components
of the dental assisting national board (DANB) certification exam and meet the board’s
work experience requirements. You will need to pass the radiation health and safety,
infection control, and general chairside components of the DANB certification exam
as well as complete at least two years of work experience (or a minimum of 3,500 hours accrued over a two to four year period).
Q: How long will it take to become a clinical dental assistant? A: Most clinical dental assistant training programs can be completed in one year or
less. This does not include the time you will spend working in an externship or similar
position to gain experience in the field.
It also does not include the required two years of work experience you will need to
become certified.
Q: What is the difference between a clinical and administrative dental assistant? A: 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.
Course Details
• 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.
Take Your Education and Career to the Next Level!
Office of Continuing Education and Professional Development
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
668 Robert and Trudie Perkins Way
Tallahassee, FL 32310
