Good oral health is an important part of your overall health. For this reason, and because of everyone's desire for strong, healthy teeth, the dental industry is a high-demand industry.
Dental assistants are important and valuable members of the team in dentistry. Below we address some of the most frequently asked questions about dental assistants, including what they do, the difference between level 1 and 2 dental assistants, how much they make, how long a diploma program lasts, and more.
What is a dental assistant?
A dental assistant is a professional who works closely with and under the supervision of a practicing dentist to assist patients with evaluation and treatment. In this diverse role, dental assistants perform a variety of tasks, including chairside and intraoral tasks, which we will discuss in more detail in the next section.
As essential members of the dental team, dental assistants must possess and master all the technical, professional, and interpersonal skills required to perform their clinical and administrative role.
Where can you study dental assistants?
Sprott Shaw College's Dental Assistant Program lasts 45 weeks and includes Level 1 and Level 2 dental assistant training in one comprehensive program. Over the course of 45 weeks, students will acquire the specialist knowledge, critical thinking and decision-making skills they need to succeed in the industry. Courses and concepts covered in the program include dental radiography, preventive dentistry, diagnostic record keeping, dental pharmacology, oral pathology, disease transmission, dental practices and more.
As a hands-on program, students receive hands-on learning in the dental laboratory and in the internship. Our Dental Assistant Program includes over 540 hours of clinical experience, including two internship opportunities to allow students to gain relevant work experience before graduation. In addition to the clinical internship experience, students are also given the opportunity to participate and learn in an actual clinical dentistry practice with both direct and intraoral responsibilities.
