Best Online Dental Assisting Programs

What is an Online Certificate Program in Dental Assisting?

An online certificate program in dental assisting is a reliable, straightforward path to a profitable career in a dental office, where most dental assistants work full-time. Daily duties of dental assistants include cleaning and sanitizing dental equipment, scheduling appointments, handling medical billing and patient records, and informing patients about proper oral hygiene. Assistants may even help dentists with procedures and x-rays. Completing a dental assisting certificate online will prepare you for such tasks by teaching you the terminology, software, procedures, and skills needed to run a dental office safely and confidently.

Only Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) or Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) are allowed to perform certain functions, such as operating x-ray equipment, and a certificate in dental assisting may better prepare you for CDA/RDA licensure. Several other licenses may be required by the state or by an employer, and a certificate program can help provide the training to excel in exams for RDA certification and/or CDA certification and component certifying exams from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Note that RDA is a state-level certification, while CDA is a nationally recognized certification.

Also, earning a certificate may increase your likelihood of obtaining employment in a highly competitive economy. For example, familiarity with the software commonly used in dental offices is advantageous, since it usually takes three to six months of training for new employees to learn the software. The typical dental assisting certificate program takes about one year to complete and is relatively affordable, especially compared to two- and four-year degrees, so the cost-benefit ratio is truly in your favor.

What is the Difference Between an Online Certificate and an Online Degree in Dental Assisting?

Primarily, the differences between an online certificate and an online degree in dental assisting are time and coursework. An online certificate typically takes only one year to complete, with the average number of required credits hovering around 40 (as few as 15 and as many as 44 are typical). An associate's degree is more involved, usually taking around two years and requiring more credit hours (around 60 for most programs).

Notably, an associate degree program may require that students complete CDA exams before graduation to complete their degree. Certificate programs do not typically require that students sit for exams, but they do prepare students who wish to obtain licensure on their own. A credible certificate program should strongly encourage graduates to pursue licensure if the program does not offer it because licensure will greatly amplify job eligibility as a dental assistant.

Accreditation for Online Dental Assisting Programs

Accreditation is a simple, straightforward method of ensuring your education meets a set of standards that future employers can rely upon and that the state mandates for the safety of both employees and patients. So before enrolling in an online dental assisting program, you should make sure that the program is accredited by a reputable accrediting agency.

The best accreditor for a dental assisting program would be the ADA (American Dental Association) or its official accrediting arm, CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation). These acronyms should be emblazoned prominently on the dental assisting program's website, so you'll be able to see right away whether a program is accredited by ADA or CODA.

A full list of accrediting agencies, including all seven regional ones, is available from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Should I Get an Online Certificate in Dental Assisting?

Because jobs in dentistry

are growing at a high and steady rate, getting an online certificate in dental assisting is practically risk-free in terms of your marketability in today's economy. According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job growth in dental assisting is estimated at 7% between 2019 and 2029, which is higher than the national average. Moreover, the median annual wage of dental assistants working in dental offices is $41,180.

Getting an online certificate is a good idea if you want to start earning money right away, as opposed to completing a two- or four-year degree. On average, dental assistants' income is comparable to that of degree-holding workers in many fields; so, contrary to what you may think, choosing a shorter educational path doesn't necessarily mean reducing your earning potential. Rather, enrolling in an online certificate program in dental assisting may be the wiser choice, financially speaking.

Career Options After Completing an Online Certificate Program in Dental Assisting

It may seem obvious that an online certificate program in dental assisting leads naturally into a job as a dental assistant. It's important, however, to make a clear distinction between a dental assistant and other types of jobs in a dental office, such as dental hygienists. Although there may be some overlap in terms of daily duties, a dental assistant is different from a dental hygienist, a dental office receptionist, a dental scheduler, and so on. However, you may get hired into one of these positions with a dental assisting certificate.

Dental Assistant

Getting a dental assisting certificate is a direct path to becoming a dental assistant, whose duties include scheduling patient appointments; locating patient records; discussing proper oral hygiene and common dental procedures, such as root canals, with patients, cleaning and sanitizing equipment before and after cleanings and procedures, standing by to help the dentist during procedures and other tasks.

Dental Hygienist

Some students who graduate from a dental assisting program may be interested in becoming dental hygienists. While this career requires a bit more education, you may be able to transfer credits from your dental assisting certificate program to the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) or Associate of Science (AS) in dental hygiene to finish the associate degree faster. Additionally, you can begin working as a dental assistant while studying dental hygiene.

Depending on the state in which they work, dental hygienists are allowed to perform x-rays, cleanings, and non-surgical procedures under the supervision of a dentist. Dental hygienists may even perform oral cancer screenings and administer local anesthetics. While only a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) can perform certain functions, such as oral surgery or general anesthesia, a dental hygienist can still do a wide range of tasks in a dental office.

Notably, dental hygienists tend to have a high degree of control over their work schedules. They may choose the number of patients they see per day and the number of days they work per week. Dental hygiene is an excellent choice if you're looking for a career that fits your lifestyle.

Dental Sales Representative

One career you may not have considered is that of a dental sales representative. If you're willing to complete a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field along with your dental assisting certificate, you could enjoy a profitable career selling dental products such as toothbrushes, dentures, crowns, fillings, surgical instruments, x-ray equipment, and more. Your job would involve contacting dental and orthodontic offices to request visits; explaining the function and benefits of the products you sell; and discussing prices, services, warranties, and other details.

Continued Education after an Online Dental Assisting Certificate Program

One great benefit of an online dental assisting certificate program is that many such programs allow students to transfer credits to an associate or bachelor's degree program. Many online certificate programs have online associate degree counterparts, offered by the same colleges, which makes for an easy transition should you choose to continue your education.

In fact, some colleges combine the certificate and associate's degree into the same program. Students may enroll in the combined program and choose either to exit the program with a certificate after a certain number of credits, or continue the program for the remaining credits and graduate with an associate's degree. Exiting the program, in this case, does not constitute dropping out, but rather results in a certificate and leaves open the option to resume the program if desired.

In general, credits from a certificate in dental assisting may go toward an associate's or bachelor's degree in dental assisting or sometimes dental hygiene, though this varies from one program to the next.

Courses for an Online Certificate Program in Dental Assisting

Whereas most degree programs have three-hour classes, in this certificate program, each class is worth a different number of credit hours, usually from one to four hours (some programs may count labs and internships as classes worth five, six, or more hours).

Some of your classes will be field experience or practicum classes, and they tend to carry less weight in terms of credit hours, but they are vital to the learning experience. For example, in a typical program, each practicum class counts for one credit hour, while classes like "dental radiology" or "chairside assisting" count for three. Be advised that while your other classes may be completed online, you will be required to complete field experience in real life.

Classes with labs often count for four credit hours, as do anatomy and physiology and other advanced topics; while more basic classes like "dental materials" and "dental office management" only merit two credit hours. See below for an in-depth look at two common classes in dental assisting.

Dental Radiology

In a radiology class, you'll have a chance to learn how x-ray equipment works, as well as the proper procedures for safely operating the equipment. You may use mannequins to practice positioning patients and taking x-rays, and you'll learn to interpret the resulting images. You'll also learn about radiation safety. By the end of your class, you should be able to clearly explain both the procedures and results of the x-ray machine. You may take more than one dental radiology class, and credit hours given for this class vary.

Dental Office Management

Dental office management classes have to do with the processes of filing and retrieving information such as patient medical records and insurance claims. You'll also have the opportunity to learn to schedule appointments and professionally handle phone calls and emails. Because all of these tasks require the use of dental office management software, you will learn at least one of the most commonly used software programs. Typically, this is a two-credit-hour class.

How Long Does an Online Certificate Program in Dental Assisting Take to Complete?

As mentioned earlier, an online certificate program in dental assisting can take less than a year to complete. However, one great benefit of choosing an online program is that students can work at their own pace. Whereas a full-time student may finish the program in a year, part-time students can take two or more years. Often, summer classes are encouraged but optional. You may choose to get ahead by taking summer classes; or you may simply take a break, complete an internship, or work a summer job. None of these is a bad option, and online programs are designed to give you options.

It's possible to get a job as a dental assistant without a certificate, learn on the job during the day, and study for your certificate in the evenings. That way, you get to combine your studies with hands-on experience, which provides you with a richer education as well as opportunities for advancement and/or increased pay. Although this method of studying part-time may delay graduation, it may be valuable in terms of opportunity.

How to Choose an Online Certificate Program in Dental Assisting

One important consideration when choosing an online certificate program in dental assisting is whether the program results in licensure or certification at a state or national level. The program should at least offer RDA test preparation classes; many excellent programs claim to prepare students for DANB exams, which generally result in CDA certification. As the CDA transfers across states and the RDA is statewide only, you may want to look for programs that emphasize DANB test preparation.

Another major consideration is your desired time commitment to the certificate program. Some programs can be completed in as few as nine months, while others require two years or more. Perhaps you're willing to invest in a longer program to attain a specific goal (e.g. RDA certification), or perhaps you simply want a quick route to a certificate to earn a pay increase at the dental office where you already work. Neither of these would be a bad choice, but your choices should align with your long-term goals.

Finally, financial ability is a major factor in your choice of certificate programs. Be sure that any program you choose is accredited, but don't assume that the pricier program is the better one, and don't forget to seek out financial aid. Evaluate the quality of the classes, the technology and equipment available for classroom instruction (since only some of your classes can be completed online), and the program results (e.g. RDA or DANB preparation) first. Fortunately, certificate programs tend to be much cheaper than other educational options, so the cost should not impede you; however, you should factor in institutional financial aid for the program you desire.

How to Get Into an Online Dental Assisting Certificate Program

Getting into an online dental assisting certificate program is a very simple process. For most programs, you just need to complete an online application. You can also register in person or by phone at some schools. Many community colleges and state universities have open enrollment, meaning that there's no application fee and you can apply at any time. Other programs do have application fees and hard deadlines, so check your program's website to make sure you're prepared.

You may need to submit high school assessment scores, such as SAT or ACT results. You will also need to prove that you have a high school diploma or GED by submitting your high school transcripts, as well as any college transcripts you may have. Finally, you should be prepared to submit registration fees and tuition payments, so it's wise to secure your financial aid before enrolling in a program.

Be aware that your program may stipulate additional documents or fees; you should read the admission requirements of your program in full before applying.

Cost of an Online Dental Assisting Certificate Program

Students need to be financially prepared before enrolling in an online dental assisting certificate program. The cost of the program will not only include the courses, but the equipment, uniforms, books, and related expenses as well, since dental assisting requires field experience that cannot be completed online.

Students taking 12 to 15 credit hours per semester can expect an estimated semester tuition of $1000 to $4000, depending on the program, the student's location of residence, and the classes taken (and the resulting equipment and lab fees). The cost of books also varies depending on the class but may be estimated at around $600. Uniforms and equipment can incur additional fees, estimated at roughly $200 for uniforms and $375 for equipment.

In-state students do typically benefit from significantly reduced tuition and fees compared to out-of-state students.

Financial Aid & Scholarship Resources for Online Dental Assisting Certificate Programs

One of the easiest ways to start funding your education is to contact the financial aid office of your college, university, or independent certificate programs. Many colleges offer support for qualifying students, and they will help you discover the resources you need.

You can also apply for private grants from individuals, religious organizations, and professional associations. For example, the Career Development Grants from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) award $2,000 to $12,000 to women pursuing degrees, certifications, or specialized training in education, health and medical sciences, or social sciences. Another example is the Desire to Inspire Scholarship, which is funded by a private individual and granted to minority individuals (Black, African American Native American, or Latino American) who seek to help or inspire others through a healthcare career.

You may also be eligible for state and federal scholarships, grants, and loans. You can determine your eligibility for government financial aid by filling out the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).

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