If you’re considering becoming a dental assistant, you’ve already made a smart career choice. Dental assistant employment is expected to increase by 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. This translates into about 52,900 new openings for dental assistants during that period according to the U.S Bureau Labor of Statistics.
Choosing a career with growth potential and opportunities is just the first smart decision you’ll make. You also need to choose a great program to help you prepare for that career. Your dental assistant school can play a major role in the skills you learn, the hands-on experience you receive, and how confident you feel starting out on the job.
There are so many dental assisting programs to choose from. But if you are looking for one that offers the right balance of training, knowledgeable instructors, and career preparation, look no further than the Dental Assistant program at National Career College (NCC). Read on to discover why NCC could be the right choice for students planning to begin their careers as dental assistants.
What the Dental Assistant Program at NCC Prepares You For
The NCC's Dental Assistant program is built around the knowledge and skills students will need to perform their jobs. Students learn about topics including:
- Dental terminology and anatomy: Learn the terminology used in dentistry and gain an understanding of mouth and tooth structures.
- Chairside assisting: Learn how to assist dentists during procedures and how to work with dental materials and instruments.
- Dental radiography: Study X-rays, digital imaging, and radiation biology.
- Infection control: Study sterilization and infection-control techniques used to provide patients with a clean clinical environment.
- Dental office procedures: Learn about scheduling appointments, electronic health records, billing, insurance, and HIPAA.
Students will also get to participate in a 160-hour externship. Students spend their externship working in real dental offices with real patients under supervision They will learn how to manage their time and duties, and also get acquainted with the workflow of a professional dental setting.
NCC’s program also prepares students to take three California Dental Board-approved certifications: radiation safety, infection control, and coronal polishing. Students will also receive guidance in career-readiness skills, including resume building, interview techniques, and job-search support.
Accredited and Trusted Education
When choosing a dental assistant program, it's crucial to ensure the education is top-notch and comes from a reputable institution. NCC’s Dental Assistant program offers detailed training with qualified instructors who have developed coursework around the skills you’ll use on the job. When you're confident in what you've learned, you'll find it easier to transition into your career.
The National Career College (NCC) is a career-focused school that provides students with the education they need to secure jobs in healthcare. The Dental Assistant curriculum combines classroom instruction and practical training to provide a well-rounded educational experience.
Beyond the program's educational scope, it's crucial that your education and training align with both industry benchmarks and professional requirements. Students in the NCC’s ABHES-accredited Dental Assistant program can receive California Dental Board-approved certifications in radiation safety, infection control and coronal polishing.
A Dental Assistant Curriculum Built for Real-World Readiness
It’s one thing to learn dental terms from a textbook. It’s another thing to know how to put that knowledge into practice at work. For this reason, the program you select should offer more than theoretical training; it should also provide hands-on experience.
NCC’s Dental Assistant program will train you for the day-to-day tasks of working in a dental office. This 9-month Dental Assistant program blends classroom learning, hands-on clinical training and a 160-hour externship. Students gain valuable technical skills as well as the practical knowledge and experience they need to be career-ready.
Flexible Scheduling for Dental Assistant Classes
Beginning a new career is exciting, but trying to squeeze school into your busy life can be frustrating. Balancing work, family obligations, commute times and other responsibilities can make it difficult to participate in a program that isn’t accommodating to your schedule.
That’s why flexibility should be one of your top considerations when looking for a dental assistant school. Inquire about class times before you enroll to see how your schedule aligns with the program’s requirements.
NCC understand how important flexibility is when it comes to career training. Day classes are offered Monday through Thursday, but we also offer an Evening Hybrid option. The Evening Hybrid option combines in-person classes on Monday and Tuesday with online classes on Wednesday and Thursday.
These arrangements give students the flexibility to create a schedule that works best with their daily commitments as they study to become dental assistants. Understanding the schedule before you enroll can help you decide if you can realistically complete the program.
Instructors With Dental Assistant Experience
The quality of your instructors can significantly impact your learning experience. In dental assisting, you are not only learning terms and concepts, you are developing practical skills that you will eventually use when working with dentists, patients, instruments, and clinical procedures.
That is why learning from experienced dental assistants can be valuable. Instructors who have worked in the field can connect classroom lessons to situations you may encounter in a dental office. They can explain procedures, demonstrate proper techniques, and share practical insights that may not be obvious from a textbook.
At NCC, students learn from instructors who bring relevant dental assisting knowledge and experience into the classroom. This helps create a learning environment where students can ask questions, practice skills, and better understand how their training applies to the workplace.
Experienced instructors can also help students develop professional habits that matter on the job, from communicating with patients to following infection-control procedures and working effectively as part of a dental team.
Career Support That Goes Beyond Graduation
Graduating from your dental assistant program is an exciting accomplishment. But knowing how to put your training to work is just as important. That is where career support can make a difference. Rather than leaving you to navigate the job search on your own, NCC offers resources that can help you prepare for your profession.
NCC’s Career Services team helps students and graduates gain real-world job-search skills. These include resume building, interview skills, job-search strategies, finding job leads, assistance with applications, or follow-ups on interviews. Students also learn professional networking and career management.
As a dental assistant student or graduate, developing your career outside of the classroom is just as important as your education. While your time at NCC gives you the technical skills and knowledge needed to excel in your career, NCC Career Services can help you learn how to finesse professional engagement.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Choosing the right dental assistant school is an important decision! Look for a school that offers hands-on training, knowledgeable instructors, flexible scheduling, student assistance, and a curriculum that will prepare you for what to expect in your dental office environment. Comparing your choices thoroughly will help you pick the perfect school and kickstart your new career path.
If you are looking for a dental assistant school in California where your education goes beyond the classroom, look no further than the National Career College. The NCC offers a career-focused Dental Assistant program designed to provide the education you need to gain the knowledge and skills required in the dental assistant field.
Request more information about our Dental Assistant program today and take the first step towards your new career in healthcare.