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Becoming a dental assistant has its ups and downs and if you are planning to take a dental assistant certificate course anytime soon, its the perfect time to know what these are. Understandably, you wouldnt want to waste your time and money for something you would lose interest in the moment you realize its not what youre expecting it to be. So lets take a look at what dental assistants really go through and see for yourself if one of the fastest growing careers of the decade is right for you.
The Pros:
Excellent job outlook. The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is adamant in its figures that through 2018, qualified dental assistants will enjoy a brilliant job outlook. Outside the U.S. is a booming dental tourism industry where plenty of jobs exist for dental assistant courses graduates too.
Its a stable job with decent salary and benefits. Most dental assistants are employed full time with excellent benefits often enjoyed by workers in the health industry. Those who are paid by the hour are looking into $16/hr although salaries vary widely by location and respective dental office.
Plenty of opportunities if you want to do a career switch. As a dental assistant, you become exposed to the functions of other professionals in this field such as those of a dentist, a hygienist or a dental product sales representative. It would be easier for you to learn the ropes of your next career.
The Cons:
You are not the dentist, not even the hygienist. You will be performing many responsibilities that many dentists do such as making impressions and sterilizing instruments but still, you are not allowed to perform everything a hygienist or dentists do like teeth cleaning or applying veneers.
Your day depends on the dentists and patients moods. Many times, you will have to deal with dentists who are hard to please and patients that are not, hmm, too patient. As a dental assistant, you have to face all types of moods and remain helpful and composed.
Further education is necessary if you want to move up. In time, you have to possess more than a dental assistant diploma for you to enjoy career growth and higher salary. Many dental assistants become hygienists or receive permission to perform dental radiological procedures with additional trainings, certifications and examinations. With years of studying and training, you can become a dentist too!
