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How to Become a Dental Assistant in Alabama, U.S.

There are several paths available to becoming a dental assistant in Alabama. Dental assistants may be considered entry-level workers, but they are an integral part of any dentist’s office and make a world of difference in the office.

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Duties of Dental Assistants

Although they may perform various jobs around the office, including administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, updating records, and ordering supplies, the main emphasis of the dental assistant’s duties is patient-focused care. Some of the tasks an employee in this role may be expected to perform are:

  • Preparing the examination room
  • Ensuring the comfort of the patient throughout to appointment
  • Collecting the patient’s vital signs and patient history
  • Educating patients regarding post-treatment care
  • Educating patients on oral hygiene
  • Taking dental radiographs
  • Applying sealant and fluoride
  • Managing patient traffic
  • Referring patients to other specialty dentists
  • Assistants also sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare trays of instruments for dental procedures, and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care

The state of Alabama allows dental assistants to work with or without certification. Keep in mind that a certified assistant may be able to take on more duties than one who is not and is allowed to operate x-ray machines. Whether certified or not, a dental assistant is not permitted to work on a patient’s teeth. A dental assistant should be a team player who will uphold patient ethics in their place of work with a high level of respect for patient confidentiality. As well, they should be exceptionally organized, possess great attention to detail, and be excellent communicators.

There are many opportunities for a dental assistant. They may work in a variety of settings such as a dental school, general dentist’s office, pediatric dental office, government or private clinic, or a state or local health department.

Dental Assisting Programs in Alabama

Although there are no state-mandated requirements for becoming a dental assistant in Alabama, getting certified can be highly beneficial to the future of your career and can significantly increase your chances of obtaining a higher salary. There are currently 5 CODA-approved dental assisting programs offering certificates. These programs generally take 9-11 months to complete making entry into the workforce much quicker than in other industries. Certified dental assistant programs are offered at the following schools:

  • Coastal Alabama Community College, Bay Minette, AL
  • Lawson State Community College – Bessemer Campus, Bessemer, AL
  • Calhoun Community College, Tanner, AL
  • Wallace State Community College, Hanceville, AL
  • H. Council Trenholm State Community College, Montgomery, AL

If you aren’t able to attend school in person or would prefer to study from home or at your own pace, you can get started by studying online through Penn Foster Career School.

Students enrolled in a dental assisting program, especially those accredited by CODA can expect to learn skills in the following areas:

  • Dental law and ethics
  • Dental specialties
  • Dental anatomy and terminology
  • CPR
  • Dental pharmacology
  • Microbiology
  • Oral pathology
  • Diet and nutrition
  • Radiograph
  • Communications
  • Patient psychology
  • Office management

Getting Certified as a Dental Assistant

Once a student has graduated from a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved course, they can register to sit for the Certified Dental Assistant exam through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). If a CODA-approved course has not been completed, the person seeking to sit the exam must be a high school graduate with at least 3,500 hours of relevant work experience. International students may sit for the exam if they have graduated from a CODA-accredited Doctors of Dental Surgery (DDS), Doctor of Dentistry in Medicine (DMD) program, or a dental degree program outside of the U.S or Canada.

The examination consists of three sections that can be taken all at once or separately. The sections consist of the following topics:

  • General Chairside Assisting (G.C.)
  • Radiation Health and Safety (RHS)
  • Infection Control (ICE)

All exams are written at Pearson VUE test centers, of which there are currently 30 located in Alabama. Visit their website to find the location closest to you.

Certification is valid for one year only as technology is constantly changing in the industry. Re-certifying requires a person to be acquiring Continuing Dental Education (CDE) credits throughout the year to keep their skills relevant. CPR certification must also be kept current. The cost for renewal starts at $75 and will rise depending on how many certificates you are renewing.

Transfer of Dental Assistant License to Another State

The requirements for dental assistants may vary from state to state. Some states only require dental assistants to have a high school diploma, while others require certification in addition to formal training.

To transfer your dental assistant license to another state, you will need to contact the regulatory board in the state you wish to practice in and inquire about their specific requirements.

It is important to note that although dental assisting requirements may vary from state to state, the duties of a dental assistant are generally the same. Dental assistants typically provide support to dentists and other dental care providers by performing tasks such as sterilizing instruments, preparing patients for treatment, taking x-rays, and providing patient education.

Further Studies in Dental Assisting

Certified Dental Assistant in Alabama has multiple options for furthering their education and expanding their career possibilities, including the following:

Dental Hygienist – For those wishing to further their abilities to work hands-on with patients, a degree in dental hygiene is the recommended pathway. Depending on the program, you may be able to apply some of your dental assistant credits to your degree.

Dental Laboratory Technician – For those interested in the technical side of dentistry, pursuing a degree to become a Dental Laboratory Technician is a good option. These people are responsible for filling prescriptions for crowns, bridges, and other dental prosthetics.

Dental Office Manager – Those interested in the business side of operations can pursue a bachelor’s degree in business or office administration in the pursuit of an office manager’s position.

Salary Expectations and Career Outlook for Dental Assistants

The outlook for a Dental Assistant in Alabama is very positive; in 2010, there were 2890 practicing Das, but that number is expected to rise to 3950. On top of that, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the number of Dental Assistant jobs is set to increase by 25% from 2021 – 2022. With this in mind, the Department of Labor has marked Dental Assistants in high demand.

A Dental Assistant in Alabama can expect to earn an average of $29,550 per annum, whether they are certified or not. Although more experienced employees can earn an average of $33.350 per annum, making certification and continued education quite attractive.

Some of the larger institutions that employ dental assistants in Alabama include the following:

  • Alabama Pediatric Dental Associates, Huntsville, AL
  • Alley and McCray Endodontics, Huntsville, AL
  • Birmingham Endodontics, Birmingham, AL
  • Brookwood Endodontics, Birmingham, AL
  • Dentistry for Children, Montgomery, AL
  • Narrows Family Dentistry, Birmingham, AL
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates, Montgomery, AL
  • Producing Smiles, Huntsville, AL
  • UAB, School of Dentistry (Pediatric Dentistry)

To learn more about becoming a dental assistant visit the Alabama Dental Association.

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