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How to Become a Dental Assistant in Arizona

A dental assistant is an essential member of the dental and oral healthcare team. They assist dentists and hygienists in running their offices, assist patients in learning about their treatments, and work with them to make them feel at ease.

In Arizona, as in the rest of the U.S., careers for dental assistants are on the rise. To become a dental assistant, a dental assistant school or program is a great place to start. While the state does not require a degree or certificate, education provides a solid foundation for getting a job and advancing in your dental career.

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What Are the Duties of Dental Assistants in Arizona?

Arizona recognizes three levels of dental assistants:

  1. Dental assistant
  2. Dental assistant qualified to perform coronal polishing
  3. Expanded function dental assistant (EFDA)

Duties are allowed and restricted by credentials and level. At the first level, as a dental assistant, you can expect to have any of these responsibilities on the job:

  • Getting patients checked in and settled in the exam room
  • Cleaning and sterilizing equipment and instruments
  • Prepping for exams and procedures
  • Assisting dentists during exams and procedures
  • Educating and instructing patients about dentists’ recommendations and oral hygiene
  • Keeping patient records
  • Administrative tasks, such as filing, answering the phone, and scheduling patients
  • Performing minor procedures under supervision, including removing sutures, applying topical fluoride, observing patients under anesthesia, and removing cement and dressings

As a dental assistant qualified to perform coronal polishing, you can do all of the above. You can also perform coronal polishing procedures under the general supervision of a dentist.

EFDAs can do all of the above and apply sealants, apply fluoride varnish, and place, contour, and finish restorations and crowns after a dentist’s preparations.

At any dental assistant level, you can operate X-ray equipment if you meet the state’s requirements for training and examination in radiography.

Dental Assistant Credentialing in Arizona

According to the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners (ASBDE), you do not need a specific credential or license to work as a dental assistant in the state. Requirements only begin if you will be performing coronal polishing, X-rays, or expanded functions.

Becoming a dental assistant can be as simple as finding a dentist willing to train you on the job. Your duties will be limited, but as you work and learn, you can earn credentials for performing more skilled tasks.

If you want to become an EFDA and have more career opportunities, it’s best to start with an academic program. These are the steps required to become an EFDA in Arizona

  • Complete a post-secondary academic program in dental assisting approved by the ASBDE and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). It should include expanded functions courses.
  • Earn the Arizona coronal polishing certificate. To do this, you must past the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Coronal Polish exam and submit a clinical skills affidavit signed by a dentist or instructor.
  • Take and pass three DANB exams: Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology, Restorative Functions, and Temporaries.
  • Complete and document restorative procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
  • Apply for the Arizona Expanded Functions – Restorative certificate through DANB.

Accredited Dental Assistant Schools in Arizona

Arizona is home to two CODA-accredited dental assistant programs and one school that offers only expanded functions courses:

  • Phoenix College at Maricopa Community College, Phoenix. This school offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in dental assisting. You can also complete a certificate program, but the degree can be transferred to a four-year bridge program to dental hygiene. Phoenix College also offers an expanded functions course. It takes 12 weeks to complete and prepares you to become certified as an EFDA.
  • Pima Community College, Tucson. Pima offers a certificate in dental assisting that includes clinical experiences. It also prepares you to pass radiography and coronal polishing exams.
  • Rio Salado College at Maricopa Community College, Tempe. Rio Salado is part of the Maricopa Community College system and offers an EFDA course to earn expanded functions certification. The course is offered on Saturdays for ten weeks.

If you cannot attend a traditional school, online programs are available, including a comprehensive course through Penn Foster.

Private Post Secondary Education

Schools Approved by the Arizona State Board of Dental Examiners

The ASBDE also approves private postsecondary dental assisting programs in Arizona. These are typically shorter, for-profit programs that may have limited clinical experiences. Here are three schools approved by the ASBDE:

Arizona Institute of Dental Assisting, Glendale and Mesa. 

The Institute offers an 11-week certificate program that includes a externship.

Northwestern College, Avondale. 

Northwestern offers an eight-month certificate program in dental assisting with clinical experiences.

Vox Dental Assisting Academy, Surprise. 

The Academy’s ten-week program includes a externship.

You can find a complete list of ASBDE-approved programs on the board’s website.

What Will I Learn in a Dental Assisting Program?

All programs have their own course offerings, but they are similar. You can expect to take classroom courses and lab courses and also complete clinical work in a dental setting. Dental field experience is important to becoming a successful dental assistant, so most programs will have externships or internships as part of the curriculum.

You will learn how to prepare patients for dental procedures, clinical procedures, chart patients’ teeth, take x-rays, place sealants and Some of the classes you’ll take include:

  • Dental assisting
  • Dental assisting lab
  • Dental materials
  • Oral radiography
  • Dental assisting procedures
  • Human anatomy and physiology
  • Basic life support and CPR
  • Dental Radiography
  • Dental issues
  • Clinical practice

Expanded functions courses include subjects like head and neck anatomy, oral pathology, oral health prevention, and infection control. You’ll also learn restorative functions, including amalgam, composite, and crowns. Expect to do both academic and clinical work in this course.

Funding Your Dental Assistant Training

Community colleges in Arizona typically have lower tuition rates than private schools. You can also find financial aid through scholarships and grants to help with the cost of your education. The Dental Assisting National Board offers a $500 scholarship for students enrolled in CODA-accredited programs, and the American Dental Association (ADA) offers a $1,000 award. You can also check with your chosen school to see if they offer any scholarships or grants.

Career Options for Dental Assistants in Arizona

One of the best reasons to earn a degree, certificate, or national-level credential is that doing so will provide you with more career opportunities. In addition to working in a dental office as an assistant, you could work toward becoming a lab technician, an expanded functions dental assistant, or with more coursework, a dental hygienist.

A dental hygienist must have a degree and must be licensed by the state. They earn a higher salary and are in demand in dental offices. They do more hands-on patient work than administrative tasks and have more duties and responsibilities than dental assistants.

What is the Career Outlook for Dental Assistants?

Most careers in healthcare are growing throughout the U.S. Demand is high for skilled and trained workers because of an aging population and an increase in awareness of the importance of healthcare and prevention.

Dental field careers are no exception. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports on careers across all states. It predicts that dental assisting positions will increase at a faster rate than average job growth. The agency expects to see 7% growth overall from 2019 to 2029. This represents tens of thousands of open positions for qualified dental assistants.

Arizona reports its statistics for the state with growth that exceeds the national average. The Arizona Commerce Authority projects an astounding 30% increase throughout the state for dental assistant positions from 2019 to 2029.

Some areas of the state will see more or less growth than the average. In Phoenix, the increase will be 20%, while the whole of Maricopa County should see a 35% increase.

Typical Salaries for Dental Assistants

The BLS reports median salaries for dental assistants across the U.S. These salaries are $41,180 annually and $19.80 per hour. The top ten percent of dental assistants in the U.S. make more than $58,390. You can expect to earn more with credentials and certifications, with expanded functions, and with additional years of experience.

Salaries in Arizona vary widely depending on credentials, experience, location, and employer. According to BLS estimates, the average range in the state is $37,740 to $40,980.

Looking for a Dental Assistant Job in Arizona

Once you have a degree from a dental assistant school and have passed exams to earn credentials, you’re ready to look for a job. Up to 90% of dental assistants work in dental offices, so this is an excellent place to start. You can find a position anywhere dentists work. Still, the highest demand will be in major metropolitan areas, like Phoenix and Tucson.

Dental office managers are always looking for skilled and qualified dental assistants. They want candidates with the right training and, preferably, certification.

You can also look at other types of employers for work. Dental assistants work in physician offices, medical centers, hospitals, and residential facilities, like nursing homes. They also work for community groups and clinics and government agencies.

Dental assisting is a rewarding career and a great way to get into the healthcare industry without spending four years in school. You can start right away in Arizona or take a year or two to earn some credentials. Either way, you’ll find high demand for your skills and a stable career with a good salary. 

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