Find Training for Dental Assisting Careers in Wyoming
If you are passionate about a career in health care, becoming a dental assistant is a promising career path.
Fortunately, to become a Wyoming dental assistant, you do not necessarily have to sit for a four-year program like other health care professions.
You can begin with an entry-level position and perform primary tasks such as:
- Scheduling patients
- Assisting dentists during procedures
- Sterilizing equipment
Discussing dental hygiene and post-care methods with patients
You can improve your standing and increase your skill set by training in expanded functions.
That will allow you to perform extensive dental assisting tasks such as:
- Coronal polishing
- Operating X-ray equipment
- Filling cavities
- Applying medications, including Pits and Fissure Sealants
- Taking digital scan impressions
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Wyoming
Working as a dental assistant in Wyoming does not require a degree.
However, there are some procedures you cannot perform without acquiring proper formal training.
Provided you are under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist, Wyoming has specific requirements put in place to enable you to perform expanded functions.
Below are some expanded functions and requirements set by the Wyoming Board of dental examiners for Wyoming dental assistants:
Placement of pit and fissure sealants.
To perform this function under direct supervision, you must do the following:
- Complete a board-approved course accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on dental hygiene or assisting courses. Or complete a Wyoming board of dental examiners program (WBDE).
- Apply for pit and fissure sealant certification in Wyoming.
WBDE also accepts successful performance on sealants exam training offered by the dental assisting national board to meet the Wyoming pit and fissure sealant permit requirement.
Radiography requirements.
To place and expose radiographs in Wyoming, you must:
- Complete a course or examination in dental radiography approved by the WBDE.
- Apply to the WBDE for a dental radiography permit in Wyoming.
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) offers a Radiation health and safety exam that meets the examination requirement.
Dental Assisting National Board Exams.
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) administers examinations to certify dental assistants at the national level. There are three exams you can take to become a certified dental assistant (CDA):
- The General Chairside Assisting Exam (GC)
- The Radiation Health and Safety Exam (RHS)
- The Infection Control Exam (ICE)
You can apply to take the DANB exams after completing an accredited dental assisting program or gaining two years of work experience as a dental assistant.
Many benefits come with becoming a certified dental assistant.
For one, it will give you an edge over other non-certified candidates when applying for jobs.
It also demonstrates a commitment to your chosen profession, which can lead to career advancement opportunities.
Dental Assistant Schools in Wyoming
As a dental assistant, if you are looking to obtain expanded functions, you will have to get formally trained in specific courses for such roles. But schools in Wyoming currently have no accredited dental assistant training certification for expanded duties.
The good news is, that the Commission accredits two programs on Dental Accreditation (CODA) that will help. Here are a few schools and courses to consider in Wyoming for educational training to get started.
Laramie County Community College
Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne Wyoming
This college offers a 16-month training in associate of applied science.
You will also be eligible to take the appropriate national, regional/state examinations for licensure.
Studying in this college, you will get training in general education and basic science topics such as:
- Anatomy and psychology
- Medical Microbiology
- Introductory Chemistry
The college offers an associate of applied science in dental hygiene.
Due to its cooperative agreement with the University of Wyoming, you can earn a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wyoming while simultaneously earning an associate of applied science.
You will get training in courses such as:
- Anatomy and psychology
- Introductory Chemistry
- Medical Microbiology
Although Wyoming has no online dental assistant schools, you can study to become a dental assistant wherever you are.
Penn foster offers a comprehensive program that will help get you started on this career path.
How to Become a Licensed and Certified Dental Assistant
After graduating, you can obtain some certifications/licenses to perform expanded dental assisting functions in Wyoming, governed by the Wyoming board of dental examiners.
You can achieve this by acquiring certificates through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) to be recognized as a certified dental assistant.
Below are a few licensed programs and certificates available in Wyoming.
- Certified restorative function dental assistant
- Certified orthodontic function assistant
- Certified preventive functions dental assistant.
You can get licensure in both Pit and fissure sealants license and Dental assistant radiography to perform expanded functions as a dental assistant.
For more information on dental assistant licenses, you can read more on the DANB website.
Salary Expectations
The average annual salary for dental assistants in Wyoming is about $75,822 a year and $36.45 per hour. Top dental assistants make as high as $174,291 per year. New dental assistants can make up to $61,051 a year.
Future Career Path
There are about 640 dental assistants in Wyoming as of 2016. statistics also show there is a 16 percent growth with 90 open positions expected each year.
As a dental assistant, you can work in a dental office, hospital, or nursing home. You can begin your career as a dental assistant with an entry-level position by working under a licensed dentist and further develop by taking on expanded functions.
Dental assistants are essential to all dental teams; they are valuable members who keep the office running smoothly and soothe patients. As a Wyoming dental assistant, you can also handle minimal procedures like applying pit and fissure sealants. You can also further your career by moving from a dental assistant to a dental hygienist.
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