Financial aid (may be available)
$242 to start
$4,000 total
Financial aid (may be available)
$239 to start
$4,000 total
Financial aid (may be available)
Financial aid (may be available)
No cost info
No cost info
Our online Dental Assistant Training combines coursework and hands-on experience to help you prepare to take the next steps toward a new career with confidence. You’ll learn essential knowledge and clinical skills that are aligned to industry certification exams, like the NELDA component exams and can also help you prepare to sit for the AMT Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification. Then you’ll participate in a 100-hour externship to practice what you learned in real-world situations!
No cost info
As the primary point of contact for patients, dental assistants play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the office. They manage patient records, schedule appointments, take X-rays and imprints, and even help the dentist during procedures. A good dental assistant provides professional and courteous customer care that makes every patient feel comfortable and informed.
No cost info
No cost info
No cost info
$2,050 total
No cost info
$1,500 total
U.S. Career Institute's Online Dental Assisting Program provides graduates with theoretical instruction and practical skills that prepare students to obtain entry-level dental assistant positions in a dentist’s office. Work alongside dentists, orthodontists, and other oral healthcare specialists. You will receive complete step-by-step illustrated lessons and virtual labs that prepare you for this rewarding, in-demand dental assistant career.
$1,239 total
As the city of Portland continues to experience growth, the demand for skilled healthcare professionals, especially dental assistants, has been steadily increasing. If you're contemplating a career as a dental assistant and reside in the Portland area, you're in a favorable position. There are numerous options available near you to become a dental assistant, presenting a great opportunity to embark on this fulfilling career path.
In this blog post, we'll delve into the realm of dental assistant training in Portland, covering everything from the prerequisites to become a dental assistant, to the quickest route to certification, and the prevailing job market trends in the city. By exploring these aspects, this blog will equip you with the necessary knowledge and resources to pursue a competitive dental assistant salary in the thriving healthcare sector of Portland.
A dental assistant is a crucial member of the dental healthcare team, responsible for providing support to dentists during various procedures. Their duties can include sterilizing instruments, preparing treatment rooms, assisting the dentist during procedures, and even performing some basic administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and maintaining patient records.
To become a dental assistant in Portland, you'll need to complete a formal training program. The requirements can vary, but most programs in the area require a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as a clean criminal background check. The training itself can take anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the program and the level of certification you're seeking.
If you're looking to become a dental assistant as quickly as possible, the fastest option in Portland is to enroll in a certificate program. These programs are typically completed in just a few months, with some as short as 10-12 weeks. One example is the Dental Assisting Certificate program offered at Portland Community College, which can be completed in just 12 weeks.
There are several options for dental assistant classes in the Portland area, each with its own unique features and requirements. Here are a few examples:
Portland Community College
This program covers all the essential skills and knowledge needed to become a dental assistant, including dental terminology, infection control, dental radiology, and chairside assisting. Upon completion, students are eligible to take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam.
Mt. Hood Community College
This comprehensive program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Assisting. In addition to the core dental assisting curriculum, students also take general education courses, preparing them for a wider range of career opportunities.
Concorde Career College
Concorde Career College's Dental Assisting Diploma program is designed to provide students with the hands-on training and clinical experience needed to succeed in the field. The program includes instruction in dental terminology, dental materials, and chairside assisting, among other topics.
While in-person training programs are the most common path to becoming a dental assistant in Portland, there are also some online and free options available.
Online Courses Several online schools, such as Penn Foster and Ashworth College, offer self-paced dental assistant training programs that can be completed entirely online. These programs are a good option for those who need more flexibility in their schedule or prefer to learn at their own pace.
Free Programs While free dental assistant training programs are less common, there are a few options in the Portland area. One example is the Dental Assisting Program offered by the Salvation Army's Cascade Division, which provides free training to eligible individuals.
Once you've completed your dental assistant training, the next step is to obtain certification. In Oregon, dental assistants are required to pass the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). This exam covers topics such as general chairside assisting, radiation health and safety, and infection control.
The job outlook for dental assistants in Portland is quite promising. As the population of the city continues to grow, so too does the demand for dental services, and by extension, dental assistants. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of dental assistants in the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan area is projected to grow by 7% between 2022 and 2032, faster than the national average.
Some of the potential employers for dental assistants in Portland include:
The median annual salary for dental assistants in the Portland area is around $42,000, which is slightly higher than the national average.
If you're interested in becoming a dental assistant and live in the Portland area, you have several options available to you. From short-term certificate programs to longer associate degree programs, there are training opportunities to fit a variety of schedules and budgets. And with the growing demand for dental services in the city, the job market for dental assistants looks promising.
Whether you're just starting to explore this career path or you're ready to take the next step, we hope this blog post has provided you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your future as a dental assistant in Portland.
Wondering if there's more? Perhaps these other articles will be more helpful if this one isn't exactly what you're after:
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