If you want to start working as a dental assistant, you may be curious about the educational options for developing your knowledge and skill set. As you shop around for programs, you may be drawn to the idea of completing your diploma online.
While some programs advertise themselves as being “100% online,” you might want to think twice before choosing a program like this.
Why? Because the role of a dental assistant is highly hands-on, which means students need to gain hands-on practice through in-person training in order to feel prepared for their first day on the job.
With in-person training and practice, dental assisting students get to:
- Handle equipment and materials that are commonly used in dental assisting positions
- Practice performing physical tasks typically involved in the role, such as preparing dental equipment and materials, processing x-rays, creating molds, and attaching crowns
- Gain experience interacting face-to-face with patients and other dental care staff
Therefore, while it is possible to earn your dental assisting diploma through a fully online program, you should weigh the potential impact of missing out on essential in-person learning experiences.
But that doesn’t mean you have to completely rule out online learning…
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Finding a Program That Offers Both Online Learning & In-Person Training
Fortunately, there is still a way to get the best of both worlds (remote study and in-person instruction). You can sign up for a blended program that provides a combination of online coursework with in-person instruction and training.
American Career College offers a blended Dental Assisting program that only requires students to attend classes and/or labs on campus two days a week for five hours each day. The rest of the week’s learning activities and coursework can be completed online.
Each student in the Dental Assisting program is also required to complete a 160-hour externship in a dental office, which helps students gain invaluable real-world experience before they graduate and enter the workforce.
Blended programs give dental assisting students increased flexibility in their schedules while providing them with the foundational hands-on learning they need to prepare for their future careers.
Here’s more information about the Dental Assisting program at ACC:
- Type of Program: Diploma
- Instruction Method: Blended
- Duration: As little as 10 Months
- Campus Locations: Los Angeles, Ontario, and Anaheim (Orange County)
- State Approval: Dental Board of California
Getting Licensed as a Registered Dental Assistant in California After You Graduate
While you do not need a license to work as a dental assistant (DA) in California, some dental assistants choose to pursue the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) license to expand their career options.
Graduates of ACC’s Dental Assisting program can receive the Coronal Polishing Certification and Pit and Fissure Sealant Certification as part of their training. They also complete the necessary preparation to pursue their California Radiation Safety Certificate (limited to dental x-ray).
What’s the Difference Between a DA and an RDA?
As a non-licensed dental assistant, you will be able to perform a wide range of permitted duties, but most of those duties will need to be performed under the direct supervision of a dentist. Some tasks may only require general supervision, which means the dentist can provide instructions to the DA and not have to be physically present while the task is being performed.
In contrast, a registered dental assistant (RDA) can perform the same permitted duties with less oversight, as the dentist may allow more duties to be performed under general supervision instead of direct supervision. RDAs can also perform additional duties that unlicensed DAs are not allowed to perform, such as coronal polishing and the application of pit and fissure sealants.
Learn more about different dental assisting roles in this “DA vs. RDA vs. CDA” post.
Get Prepared with the Right Dental Assisting Program
With the right program, it is possible to benefit from both a convenient and comprehensive education. ACC helps provide dental assisting students with the thorough instruction and hands-on training they need to feel confident pursuing a career in dental assisting.
Learn more about ACC’s Dental Assisting program and fill out the form on this page to request more information.
