Find Dental Assistant Schools Near Me in Mableton GA 30126

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Mableton Georgia

Mableton GA dental assistant working with dentist Choosing the right dental assistant program near Mableton GA is an essential first step toward beginning your new career in dentistry. But before you can make your choice, you need to evaluate and compare your school options. There is far more to doing your due diligence than picking the dental assistant program with the most affordable tuition or enrolling in the one that is closest to your home. There are other significant issues to take into account also, for instance the program’s reputation and accreditation. Your first step is to decide which of the 2 credentials you are most interested in getting training for, which may be contingent on the amount of money and time that you have to invest. The most typical dental assistant program usually takes about 1 year to finish for a certificate or diploma. However dental assistants may also earn an Associate Degree, which can take anywhere from two to three years to accomplish. Naturally with the longer training comes more expense. We will discuss all of these considerations and additional questions that you need to be asking the dental assistant schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let’s look at the duties of dental assistants and further discuss the training options provided.

The Job of Dental Assistants in Mableton GA

Mableton GA dental assistant and oral surgeon Dental assistants are an essential component of any Mableton GA dental office and can undertake a myriad of duties. Their principal job description is to furnish support to the dentists and the administrative staff. Or simply put, to help keep the practice working efficiently. A number of dental assistants elect to specialize and receive certification in a specific area, for instance pediatrics. However most assistants carry out any task that they are called upon to complete, including:

Setting and confirming appointments
Preparing patients for teeth cleanings and treatments
Sterilizing and preparing instruments for dentists
Clearing patients’ mouths with suction equipment
Providing instruments to dentists during procedures
Readying X-ray machines and handling X-rays
Purchasing dental and office supplies

Licensing and certification requirements for dental assistants vary by state, so check with the Georgia dental board for your state’s policies. Assistants dealing with X-ray machines most likely will have to be licensed and certified. Many dental assistants who are either required or decide to become certified take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination provided by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Dental Assistant Training Programs near Mableton GA

Dental assistant programs are offered at Georgia junior colleges as well as trade or vocational schools. As previously mentioned, the most frequent credential attained is the certificate, which usually takes about 1 year to complete. There are less Associate Degree programs available, and they furnish a more extensive education, incorporating general subjects in addition to the dental assistant courses. These programs can require anywhere from two to as long as three years to complete and must be accredited by the CDA in almost every state. They are also offered in Georgia community colleges and technical schools. Whether you are interested in earning a certificate or a degree as a dental assistant, there will be a practical component to the training also. Many programs also sponsor internships with Mableton GA dental practices or dentists.

Dental Assistant Online Training

attending dental assistant school online in Mableton GA Choosing an online dental assistant course may be a viable alternative for receiving your training. Just keep in mind that the classes will not be totally online, since there will be a practical portion to your training. But the balance of your classes will be accessible by means of your desktop computer in the comfort of your Mableton GA home or elsewhere on your laptop or tablet. For those continuing to work while going to college, online dental programs make education far more obtainable. Many may even have lower tuition rates than their on-campus counterparts. And supplementary expenses for items like commuting, books and school supplies may be lessened also. The clinical training can typically be performed at an area dental practice or in an on-campus lab. With both the online and clinical training, everything required to receive the proper education is furnished. If you have the dedication for this method of learning, you may find that enrolling in an dental hygienist online college is the right option for you.

Issues to Cover With Dental Assistant Programs

Mableton GA dental assistant with dentist and patient After you have decided on the dental specialty and kind of credential you wish to attain, you can begin the process of comparing Georgia programs and schools. As we covered at the start of this article, a number of students start by checking out the location and the cost of the schools. Perhaps they look for some online options also. Even though these may be relevant initial factors to consider, there are several additional questions that you need to ask of the Mableton GA area colleges you are looking at in order to arrive at an informed decision. Toward that end, we have supplied a list of questions to help you with your due diligence and final selection of the ideal dental hygienist school for you.

Is the Dental Assistant College Accredited? There are many valid reasons why you should only enroll in an accredited dental assistant program. If you are going to become certified or licensed, then accreditation is a requirement in nearly all states. In order to take the Certified Dental Assistant exam, your dental school must be accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Accreditation also helps guarantee that the instruction you get is of the highest quality and comprehensive. Employers in Mableton GA frequently prefer or require that job applicants are graduates of accredited colleges. And finally, if you are applying for financial aid or a student loan, frequently they are not available for non-accredited Georgia programs.

Is The Proper Dental Program Offered? You can elect to train to become a dental assistant by earning either a Certificate or an Associate Degree. Just verify that the Mableton GA college you decide on has the program that’s right for you. However, bear in mind that just because a college has an exceptional reputation and accreditation does not mean all of its programs do as well. For example, an accredited school may have a solid accredited dental hygienist program, but may have a weaker or non-accredited dental assistant program. So if you are solely interested in a dental assistant degree, naturally it would not be the right school for you.

Is Adequate Practical Training Included? Practical or clinical training is an important portion of any dental training program. This applies for the online school options as well. Most dental colleges have relationships with regional dental practices and clinics that furnish practical training for their students. It’s not only important that the school you choose offers enough clinical hours but also provides them in the kind of practice that you ultimately would like to work in. As an example, if you have an interest in a career in pediatric dentistry, make sure that the Mableton GA area program you choose offers clinical rotation in an area dental office that focuses on dental care for children.

Is There an Internship Program? Ask if the dental programs you are looking at sponsor internship programs. Internships are undoubtedly the ideal means to obtain hands-on, clinical experience in a professional Mableton GA dental practice. They help students to transition from the theoretical to the practical. They can also help students build working relationships in the professional dental community. And they look good on resumes too.

Is Job Placement Support Offered? Most graduating students of dental assistant programs require assistance obtaining their first job. Ask if the colleges you are looking at have job assistance programs, and what their job placement rates are. Colleges with high job placement rates probably have excellent reputations within the Mableton GA dental community as well as broad networks of contacts where they can refer their students for internships or employment.

Are the Classes Small? Find out from the Mableton GA area programs you are evaluating how large on average their classes are. The smaller classes generally offer a more personal setting for learning where students have increased access to the teachers. Conversely, bigger classes often are impersonal and provide little individualized instruction. If practical, find out if you can monitor a few classes at the school that you are leaning toward in order to experience first hand the amount of interaction between teachers and students before making a commitment.

What is the Overall Cost of the Program? Dental assistant colleges can fluctuate in cost dependent on the duration of the program and the amount of clinical training provided. Other factors, such as the reputations of the schools and if they are public or private also have an impact. But along with the tuition there are other substantial costs which can add up. They can include expenses for such things as commuting and textbooks as well as school equipment, materials and supplies. So when examining the cost of programs, remember to include all of the costs related to your education. Most schools have financial aid offices, so make sure to find out what is offered as far as grants, loans and scholarships in Mableton GA.

Are the Classes Accessible? Before enrolling in a dental school, you need to make sure that the assistant program furnishes classes that accommodate your schedule. This is particularly true if you will be working while acquiring your education and must attend classes near your Mableton GA home at nights or on weekends. And even if you select an online school, you will still have to schedule your practical training classes. Also, while addressing your concerns, ask what the make-up protocol is if you should need to miss any classes because of work, illness or family responsibilities.

Considering Attending Dental Assistant School near Mableton GA?

Following is some interesting background information about Mableton Georgia that you may find helpful.

Mableton, Georgia

Mableton is a census-designated place in Cobb County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, Mableton had a population of 37,115. When Brookhaven became a city in December 2012, Mableton became the largest unincorporated community in Metro Atlanta.

It was named for Robert Mable, who on September 11, 1843, bought 300 acres (approximately 120 hectares or 1.2 km²) of land. The Southern Railway opened a railroad station in Mableton in December 1881, and on June 28, 1882, the post office opened replacing the Bryantville post office about two miles (3.2 km) southeast. On August 19, 1912, Mableton was incorporated as a town but was disincorporated on August 17, 1916. The historic Mable House and plantation, located off U.S. 78 on Floyd Road just north of Clay Road, now includes an amphitheatre which hosts public events.[3]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 20.8 square miles (54 km2), of which 20.6 square miles (53 km2) is land and 0.2 square miles (0.52 km2), or 0.82%, is water.

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Find the Right Dental Assistant Program near Mableton GA

Choosing the ideal dental assistant course is important if you intend to take the CDA exam or, if required in your state, become licensed. As you now know, there are a number of options available to obtain your education and it takes a relatively short amount of time to become a dental assistant. You can obtain your formal training through dental programs at junior colleges, technical institutes, trade schools and vocational schools. Graduates of these schools typically earn a Certificate. Dental Assistants generally require roughly 1 year of study before they enter the work force. When pursuing a certificate or degree you can elect to go to classes online or on-campus. Whichever mode of training or credential you choose to pursue, by asking the questions presented in this article you will be better prepared to make the ideal choice. And as a result, you will be ready to commence your journey toward becoming a dental assistant in Mableton GA.