Dental Assistant Schools in Alabama
Dental Assistant Programs in Alabama
Dental care is one of the most essential aspects of physical health, and regular dental checkups can help patients prevent issues with tooth decay and gum recession later in life. By becoming a dental assistant in Alabama, you can ensure that dentists see as many patients as possible, making dental care more accessible to people in your community.
If you’re considering dental assistant training, Alabama schools are ready to help.
Check out the list below and contact programs in your area.
Dental Assistant Schools in Alabama
As you start comparing dental assisting programs, Alabama schools make it easy to look into different options and find a degree that fits your schedule. When it comes to dental assistant training, Alabama students have two main options to consider.
If you want to complete your training quickly and figure out if this is the right field for you, you may want to earn a certificate or diploma. These programs generally last between six months and one year, requiring the completion of 12 to 30 credits. Diploma and certificate programs don’t often require general education courses, so you may need to take additional courses in the future to advance to an Associate’s degree.
Otherwise, technical schools and community colleges also offer Associate’s-level programs in dental assisting. These programs generally last about two years, and they include both dental assisting courses and general education coursework.
Commonly Required Dental Assisting Courses
- Dental Materials
- Biomedical Sciences
- Oral Pathology
- Dental Anatomy
- Preventive Dentistry
- Dental Radiology
- Practice Management
- Dental Laboratory Techniques
- Dental Emergencies
Clearly, you must understand the theory of dental work and oral anatomy before you can earn this degree. However, you also have to apply this information to various dental assisting procedures. For that reason, local programs require clinical work. Throughout your rotations, you may observe dental work, assist a dentist while being supervised by an instructor, and complete an internship at a local dental clinic.
Clinical requirements are set by each school, but many schools require at least 100 hours of experience.
There are several ways to fund your education. Scholarships and grants typically don’t have to be paid back. The Liz Koch Memorial Scholarship is one option for students at dental hygienist schools in Alabama.
Working as a Dental Assistant in Alabama
After completing a degree at one of the local dentist schools, Alabama graduates may look for positions in private clinics and community dental clinics. The average dental assistant salary In Alabama is $31,240 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). Through the year 2024, O*Net expects a 19% increase in job openings for dental assistants (2016).
Building connections in a new industry can help you gain experience and become comfortable in a new work setting. The American Dental Assistants Association is an excellent resource for dental assistants and hygienists across the country.
Accredited dental assistant programs should prepare you for the standard work duties in a dental clinic. On a daily basis, you may clear patient’s mouths with suction, clean patients’ teeth, sterilize instruments, and process X-rays.
At dental assistant schools in Alabama, you can build the foundation for a rewarding career in dentistry.