Dental Assistant Schools in Idaho
Dental Assistant Programs in Idaho
When you make a career choice, you want to choose a job that keeps you engaged and makes a difference to people in your community. Making dental care more accessible and allowing dentists to make the most of their time is an excellent way to improve life in your community.
Ready to learn more about working in dentistry?
Contact dental assistant school options below.
Dental Assistant Schools in Idaho
Before you can work with patients and give dentists the help they need in the office, you need to complete a high-quality training program that offers plenty of hands-on experience.
If you want to become a dental hygienist, a role that requires additional experience and education, you may need an Associate’s degree in dental assisting. It takes two years of full-time study to earn an Associate’s degree, since this option requires general education courses in addition to dental assisting classes.
If you enroll in a certificate or diploma program, you may complete your training in one or two semesters.
Dental School Idaho Course Options
- Introduction to Dental Assisting
- Basic Dental Science
- Dental Situations
- Dental Operatory Procedures
- Dental Radiology
- Dental Anatomy and Physiology
- Dental Office Management
Hands-on experience is an important part of dental assistant programs. Idaho students can get experience at an on-site dental clinic or at local participating dental clinics. Working with patients of different ages, dental histories, and dental needs can prepare you for whatever may come your way during your career.
You may qualify for school-specific, state, and federal scholarships and grants. These awards can minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Consider applying for scholarships through the American Dental Assistants Association.
Working as a Dental Assistant in Idaho
After completing your education, you do not need to get a license to start working as a dental assistant in Idaho. You do need to become licensed if you want to do X-rays or expanded dental assistant functions.
Currently, the average salary for an Idaho dental assistant is $33,790 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). If you go on to become a certified dental hygienist, you may increase your income potential even more. The average dental hygienist salary in Idaho is $72,460 per year (BLS, 2016).
It’s crucial to find a supportive work environment when you start working as a dental assistant. No matter how much experience you get as a student, there may be a slight learning curve when you get into the workforce. You should be comfortable asking questions, observing procedures, and advancing your skills as you become more experienced.
Dental assisting is an in-demand field that may allow you to start working in as little as six months.