Whether you’re looking to begin a medical or dental assistant career, there are many educational options to consider. You can choose from certificate/diploma programs and associate degree programs to prepare for a role in this allied health field.
Medical and dental assisting are rewarding careers but require hard work to succeed in school. Follow these five tips for survival in a medical or dental assisting program.
Location
A successful Dental Assistant program requires time, effort, and focus. Choosing a conveniently located school that offers support resources for students is essential. This includes job placement tools and clinical experience opportunities to increase the chance of graduating from Dental Assistant school with a job.
Also, consider the length of a program and whether it fits into your schedule. Some Medical and Dental Assistant programs can be completed in nine months, while others require longer to complete. Researching your options is essential to make the best decision for you. Choosing a suitable dental assisting school locations can make all the difference in your future career plans and how quickly you enter the job market. Be sure to visit several programs before making a final decision.
Atmosphere
Your chosen program should be well suited to your personal and professional goals. It is essential that the atmosphere is a good fit and that you enjoy your time at the school.
Medical and dental assisting are excellent career options for people wanting to enter the healthcare industry. Both jobs offer a variety of administrative and clinical duties. They also provide good job security, and the demand for these positions is high.
Dental assisting students perform many tasks, including preparing patients for procedures, sterilizing instruments, taking and developing dental X-rays, and performing laboratory functions.
The classroom experience will also help you learn to communicate with patients effectively and work as part of a team in a medical office.
Clinical Requirements
Choosing the right healthcare career path is essential. Medical and dental assistants are healthcare professionals who perform clerical tasks in doctors’ offices. They also assist with more specialized medical office procedures. Both careers require interpersonal skills since patient education before medical procedures is a big part of their duties.
Most medical assisting programs take about a year to complete and offer certificate or diploma options. Some accelerated programs can be completed in as few as 40 weeks.
Before enrolling in a program, students should visit and speak with their career services people to learn about job placement rates and average starting salaries. Ideally, they should also talk with current and former students. This can give them a better idea of what it’s like to be a student at that particular school and whether or not the program will meet their needs. A good school will have a financial aid department that can explain the options available for funding.
Financial Aid
When selecting a dental and medical assisting school, you want to ensure it is financially feasible. Many students can pay for their education through scholarships, grants, and assistantships that don’t require a loan to repay. If you need more than these, you can find federal student aid by filling out the FAFSA application.
In addition, most schools will accept FAFSA money and have a financial aid office to help you figure out your loan. It’s also wise to create a budget and set aside savings for school expenses before you enroll. This will show you how much you need to save each month. Calculating your potential monthly loan payments may also be helpful based on what you hope to earn as a dental professional. Depending on the amount of loans you may have to take, you can reduce the amount of time you’re in school by enrolling in an accelerated daytime program or a 29-week evening program.
