Essential Information
Students in dental management can gain strong interpersonal and communication skills to help them interact with patients and staff. They also have the opportunity to learn how to deal with dental insurance companies, budgeting and patient billing. Most of these 2-year programs are offered at community colleges or vocational schools. Applicants must typically have a high school diploma or GED to be accepted.
Associate Degree in Dental Management
Courses within an associate's degree program in dental management can cover office management skills as well as dental procedures. In addition to general education requirements and clinical experiences, courses can include:
- Medical terminology
- Accounting
- Dental radiology
- Health care legal issues
- Customer service
- Dental insurance
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stated that job prospects for dental assistants are expected to increase 7% from 2019-2029 (www.bls.gov). As of 2020, the mean annual salary for dental assistants was $42,310, according to the BLS. According to PayScale.com, as of September 2020, dental office manager salaries within the tenth to 90th percentile ranged from $31,000 - $65,000 for those who have 0-5 years of experience.
Continuing Education and Certification Information
Many states require dental assistants to have certification, so applicants must check with their state to determine which ones they need. The Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) offers a certified dental assistant (CDA) exam and a certified preventative dental assistant (CPDA) exam. These certifications typically last one year, and applicants must complete continuing education requirements and a fee to renew. Students cannot typically obtain further education after completing a dental management degree.
An associate's degree in dental management teaches students the necessary skills and techniques that are used in a dental office. Graduates of these programs have many opportunities for work since job growth for this field is much faster than the average for all occupations.