Dental Assistant Programs in South Dakota
What skills can you bring to the table in a healthcare career? If you’re detail-oriented, good at taking direction, and excellent at working with all sorts of people, you may be interested in becoming a dental assistant.
Dental assisting training programs and schools are equipped to give you the knowledge and practical skills that today’s dental offices look for in job applicants. If you’re ready to get started on the path to a dental assisting career, learn more now by contacting dental assistant programs in South Dakota.
Dental Assistant Schools in South Dakota
Finding the right school is the first step in a rewarding education that helps you build a solid foundation for your career. It’s important to choose a school that meets or exceeds South Dakota dental assistant requirements, since licensure and certification may give you an edge when it comes time to apply for job openings.
Certificate, diploma, and Associate’s degree programs can all meet state licensing requirements. Depending on which program you choose, you may graduate in as little as one year or need a full two years to finish your education. Though class names vary between South Dakota schools, programs across the state tend to cover the same basic skills.
Courses Offered at South Dakota Dental Assistant Schools
- Dental Science
- Dental Health
- Chairside Assisting
- Dental Materials
- Radiology
- Dental Practice Management
If you live in a rural part of South Dakota, the nearest dental assisting school may be quite far away. In that case, you may want to look into online dental assistant programs. Online programs let you finish your theory coursework and exams online. They do typically require clinical experience, which you may complete at a nearby clinic or health sciences school.
Through numerous foundations and organizations, you can apply for financial aid that can offset your school expenses. The DALE Foundation offers the Liz Koch Memorial Scholarship to students who show considerable promise in their studies.
Working as a Dental Assistant in South Dakota
After you complete your education, it’s time to apply for certification and get going on your career. To become a Registered Dental Assistant in South Dakota, you need CPR certification, proof of graduation from a CODA-accredited program, and a certificate of competency from the South Dakota State Board of Dentistry.
You can take the required exams through the Board after graduation. Once you have met these requirements, you may apply for Registered Dental Assistant licensure.
In South Dakota, the demand for dental assistants is growing very quickly. Between 2014 and 2024, O*Net expects job openings for dental assistants to increase 16% (2017).
Throughout the state, dental assistants earn an average of $34,310 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). Your dental assistant salary in South Dakota may be determined by which part of the state you live in and which type of dental clinic you work for.
There’s no better time than right now to get started on your career.