What Do You Need to Become a Dental Assistant?

Looking to enter the world of dental assisting but unsure where to start? You'll be happy to know that joining the industry is far less complicated than you might imagine. Here, we’ll break down the steps that’ll set you up for success and put you on the path to becoming a full-fledged dental assistant.

Things That Are Nice to Have/Be Before Applying:

-18 years old

-a high school diploma/GED

-an immunization record

-a clean background check

-a commitment to learning and teamwork

-a desire to serve and care for others

As you can see, college isn’t required to become a dental assistant. If you have a high school education, you’re good to go! Dental hygienists typically attend a four-year college; but dental assistants can complete a program in just a month or so. What’s the difference? Dental hygienists primarily focus on preventative care, gum disease treatment, and patient education. Dental assistants act as treasured collaborators alongside dentists and dental specialists, assisting in a variety of procedures from orthodontics (braces), surgery, implants, fillings, and more!

So what does dental assisting school entail? Well, let’s go over what you’ll need first.

Supplies You’ll Likely Need for School:

-dental assisting textbooks

-PPE gear (including scrubs)

-comfortable closed-toes shoes

-something to take notes with (journal, laptop)

-hair accessories

-earplugs

-skincare (lotion, hand sanitizer)

-snacks and drinks

Essentially, you need to be prepared to come in contact with biological materials, as well as keep yourself sated and hydrated, dressed appropriately, and ready to learn. Other things that are listed but might not be as easily understood are the following: the earplugs, which are for blocking out the sometimes-harsh noises of dental equipment; the lotion is to treat chapped hands that might get dry during long procedures; and the hair accessories are to keep long hair out of one’s face while they work.

Once you have all these supplies, you’re basically ready to go! The only thing left is to apply—but you might find you need help there too. Fortunately, CADA provides several options for additional funding, including a scholarship and a partnership with WorkSource of Tacoma. With these in tow, CADA’s already competitively low-cost program becomes even more affordable!

If you have any remaining questions regarding requirements that we’ve not covered here, feel free to reach out! We’re happy to walk you through the process and remind you of all the things you’ll need if you’re indeed considering a career in dental assisting.