Registered Dental Assistant

Becoming a registered dental assistant can allow you to get a good job with only a few months training. Although training may differ slightly from state to state most courses can be completed in 9 months to a year. After completing an accredited dental assistant program you can sit for the registered dental assistant exam.

Training will include both science courses and courses required by the ADA as well as clerical classes as well. A registered dental assistant will have to be equally adept at performing duties in both areas as you will be required to do so in practice. While the training program doesn't take a lot of time, it does take a large amount of commitment and work because there is so much material to cover.

If successfully completed you will become an RDA. It should be noted however, that there is also a certified dental assistant exam. Certified dental assistants and registered dental assistants have the same duties and same training the only difference between the two is which exam you take.

Once you have completed your training and become a registered dental assistant you can begin to look for jobs in dental offices, orthodontists offices and other places where dental care take place. RDAs work under the supervision of a dentist and perform both office management tasks as well as dental care tasks. Some of your duties will include:

・        Prepare patients for treatment
・        Sterilize instruments and Prepare of dental trays
・        You will pass instruments during dental procedures
・        Hold the suction device.
・        Recording vital statistics
・        Complete insurance forms
・        Answering phones
・        Coordinating appointments

When it comes to the salaries that Registered dental assistants make wages will depend a great deal on what area of the country you work in, the amount of experience you have, and the amount of responsibility your will be ask to assume.

Before deciding whether or not to become a trained RDA, you need to explore the job opportunities in the area where you intend to work. You also need to decide if working in a dental office is the job for you. Not everyone is comfortable in a dental office and keep in mind that you will be assisting the dentist and will be responsible for calming nervous patients of various ages so that you need to be able to work coolly and calmly while showing a caring attitude.