Career: Dental Assisting?

Anyone here a Dental Assistant?


I am a Freshman at college and am looking to transfer colleges ASAP because the college i am at now "suddenly" decided not to offer it anymore! The new college i am going to i will be getting my Dental Assisting Diploma





I hear that some Dentists will just train their assistants?





Any comments?

Career: Dental Assisting?
Some states require that you have a Dental Assisting License in order to perform certain duties, and other states are looking at that as well. Being a current dental assistant without a license will not grandfather you in... you'd have to take the board exam like everyone else. In my state it's a class E felony if you get caught 'practicing without a license', as well as a hefty fine.





Once you get your diploma, you will be eligible to take the CDA exam through DANB, and if your state has licensure, go for it.





Some dentists do train their assistants, but it's a good idea to have the 'bookwork' in your brain as well.. then you'll know WHY you're doing something and not just doing it because someone told you to.





Good luck to you!
Reply:I am a dental assistant. I am not sure where you live, but in the US, yes some dentists to train their assistants, as well as in canada. BUT i caution you with this because one day it may become a regulated career and if.when this happens all the assistants without diplomas won't be able to work anymore. I would advise you to seek out going the school route if you can.
Reply:You can always get your AA degree first, then transfer. Make sure your school has an accredited program. Then make sure you take your RDA %26amp; CDA. The RDA is for each state, the CDA is nation wide. It's always better for you to have a liscence. You will know your job better and be more employable. Good Luck!
Reply:I was trained on the Job and assisted for many years before moving to office manager. As for not being able to work if regulations changed, very doubtful that will ever happen, and there would be grandfather clause anyways. I do think school is the best option now though, the diploma will give you wage bargaining power when your ready to get into the work field, and just having the training makes job search easier. Good luck to you!