Planning to go to a dental assistant school? Want to be part of the world of dentistry? Want to serve as a health care assistant? Then you may take the steps now. Get ready and bring present yourself into an assistant school and start building your future.

Dental Assistant Schools and Programs

The population of students enrolling in dental assistant schools and programs are increasing resulting to a fast growing number of dental assistants. In the year 2009, there are over 270,000 jobs held by dental assistants and such number is expected to grow in rate faster in the years to come. This makes people get more interested in going to dental assistant schools. The assistant program, training or course is a short term vocational course that produces graduates and have them certified and become future health care professionals. The usual duration of an assistant program or training is about eight weeks or 11 weeks and to some schools they offer a two-semester period for the program. The program is more of equipping, training and educating students through classes and hands-on trainings. The student-teacher ratio in this program is usually really small to give much attention in guiding and assisting students in their practical experiences in the field. Moreover, there are also assistant programs offered online. They are those programs which provide modules to students but they to also provide internship courses or on-the-job training for the sake of allowing their students learn through practical experiences.

Requirements in Enrolling

For many colleges and vocational schools, a high school diploma is required. Some also require that a student to enroll is over 18 years of age. Some consider the GED certificate or other certificates that are equivalent to a high school diploma. Certain tests must also be taken during admissions. There could be an admission test that you must take and pass before you get admitted to the dental assistant school. Also there are physical tests and health tests, and other skill measurement or aptitude tests that are performed by colleges or schools before accepting students. Aside from these tests, some courses in high school are also required from the students to be taken. These courses will be primarily the foundations of the courses to be taught within the whole duration of the dental assisting program.

Requirements while Enrolled in the Program

There are schools which require rigorous training among students but this will assure a good result among the students in the future. Certain number of hours in internship must be met by the students (i.e. working for a dentist or a dental facility for a number of hours within a week). Some colleges and schools require a minimum of 20 hours of internship per week from its students. As the students work for the dental facilities or dental clinics, evaluation and assessment regarding their performance will also be part of the basis of their grade. Exams on theories will also be given to the students to measure their understanding and knowledge assuring that they would be competent enough. The dental assistant school is just like any other school and degree programs that require exams and projects for students to meet before they graduate.