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To
be a successful Dental Assistant you should:
- Be reliable.
- Work well with others.
- Have good manual dexterity.
- Have good eye/hand coordination.
- Have the ability to communicate clearly.
- Have good listening skills.
- Have the ability to calm nervous patients.
- Have good health, personal neatness and cleanliness.
|
| What
type of education and/or training do I need?
Training programs are offered by community colleges,
vocational schools, or technical institutes. One-year
program enrollees receive a certificate or diploma upon
completion, while those in 2-year programs receive an
associate degree. Dental assistants may also acquire necessary
skills with on-the-job training. |
| Do
I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is required in the State of Connecticut. Dental
assistants must successfully complete the radiology section
of the Dental Assisting National Board examination in
order to take dental x-rays in Connecticut; but other
than that, neither certification nor licensure is required
in Connecticut. |
| Where
can I get more information? American Dental
Assistants Association
203 North LaSalle Street
Suite 1320
Chicago, IL 60601-1225
(312) 541-1550 www.dentalassistant.org
National Association of Dental Assistants
900 South Washington St.
Suite G-13
Falls Church, VA 22046
(703) 237-8616 |
| What
is the salary for this career? $27,040-$41,600
(Source: 2003 Connecticut Hospital Association
Compensation Survey) |
|
| What
will my job be like? Dental assistants perform
many tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical
skills. In addition to assisting the dentist during a
variety of procedures, dental assistants may take and
develop dental radiographs (x-rays), sterilize instruments
and equipment, and take impressions of patients' teeth.
|
| Where
could I work? Dental assistants may work in
private dental offices, hospitals, or community health
agencies. Most dental assistants have a
32- to 40-hour work week, which may include work on Saturdays
or evenings.
- Other Workplace Settings:
- Clinics
- Dental Product Sales Representatives
- Dental and Dental Hygiene Schools
- Military Hospitals
- Public Schools
- State and Local Public Health Departments
|
| What
is the future of this career? Job prospects
for dental assistants are good, and employment is expected
to grow much faster than the average through the year
2008. |
Where
can I get the education and/or training?
- A.I. Prince Regional Vocational Technical School,
Hartford
- Briarwood College, Southington
- Connecticut Training Centers, East Hartford
- Dental Temp Careers, LLC, Stratford
- Eli Whitney Regional Vocational Technical School,
Hamden
- Teamwork, LLC, Salem
- Tunxis Community College, Farmington
- Valley Medical Institute, Trumbull
- Windham Regional Vocational Technical School, Windham
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