Top 10 Dental Assistant Schools

Aspiring dental assistants (DA) are required to undergo an academic training program that spans 9 to 11 months. Although a degree is not a prerequisite for this profession, it is nevertheless good to obtain one for this can assure that one can receive a higher pay. You can obtain your DA training at community colleges, dental schools, technical institutes, universities or vocational schools.

Getting an accredited training program is important so that you are eligible to sit for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination.

Here are the top ten schools that offer such programs:

1. Allied College
This institution offers students a dental assisting diploma and an associate degree. Students can expect course materials such as x-ray procedures, chairside equipment use, laboratory procedures and dental office administration. Of particular interest is that an externship is included to expose students to real-world experience.

2. Americare School of Nursing
This Florida-based institution offer programs that exceed 1010 hours of classroom and clinical instruction. An externship is also included and covers areas such as general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery and periodontics.

3. Everest College
The program offered covers such topics like dental x-rays, dental anatomy and laboratory procedures. Students can look forward to obtaining training in a laboratory-like setting equipped with dental chairs, oxygen tanks and ultrasonic units.

4. Kaplan Career Institute
Students enrolled in the diploma program offered are educated on topics such as patient care, dental x-rays, tooth impressions, oral surgery assisting and oral evacuation. Career placement services are also available to assist graduates in obtaining jobs.

5. Lincoln Technical Institute
This widely known and respected institution founded in 1946 offers program that instructs students on four-handed dentistry, chair-side assistance, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, surgical procedures and dental radiology. Upon graduation, graduates are encouraged to sit for Radiography National Board Examination.

6. Remington College
This institution offers an eight-month diploma program that covers oral anatomy, radiology and fundamentals of dental science. One special characteristic to note is that the program is designed with the needs of working adults in mind. An externship is also included.

7. Sanford-Brown College
This institution prides itself for offering focused programs on business and healthcare for over 140 years. Subjects such as dental anatomy, pathology, radiography, chairside techniques and dental laboratory are covered. An externship is also included.

8. Southeastern Career Institute
Offered as a diploma, the program covers chair-side, office and lab procedures. A 300-hours externship is incorporated as part of the program. Upon completing the externship, graduates can apply for entry-level employment and sit for exams for dental radiology certification.

9. Ultimate Medical Academy
Students obtaining DA training at this institution will be instructed on advanced procedures, office operations and the ways to assist dentists during routine cleanings. Training on radiology constitutes part of the program. In addition, clinical externship is also included.

10. US Career Institute
The certificate program offered provides online learning. It includes areas such as equipment use, patient care, office administration, disease knowledge, pediatric dentistry and oral pathology. The duration of this program is quite short – just around 4 months.