In Ontario, employment prospects for entry-level dental office and chairside assistants continue to look good, according to the most recent study by Labour Market Information (www.labourmarketinformation.ca), the online arm of Service Canada. In their June 2009 report, researchers noted, “In Ontario, employment for this occupation is expected to grow more rapidly than the average for all occupation. […] The demand for dental assistants depends on the number of people seeking dental care and the frequency of their visits. Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth by older people will increase demand for dental services.”
Education is key to acquiring entry-level employment, according to the survey. “An increased use of computers for recording and accessing patient information will lead to new computer training needs for dental assistants,” said the report. “The need for continuous learning will remain strong as new procedures, techniques and materials are introduced. Many opportunities are for entry-level positions offering on-the-job training.”
Many dental assistants move on to become dental hygienists, researchers added, noting, “Dental hygienists generally earn twice the annual income of a dental assistant, thus making the transition very attractive.”
Dental Office and Chairside Assistant Education Available from Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care.
People interested in acquiring the education and experience necessary to become a dental office and chairside assistant, perhaps as the first step to becoming a dental hygienist, can do so at Everest College. The Dental Office and Chairside Assistant program, which takes just eight months to complete, is currently offered at Everest campuses in Barrie, Brampton, Hamilton Mountain, Kitchener, London, Mississauga, Newmarket, North York, Ottawa (East), Scarborough, Sudbury, Toronto (College Park) and Windsor.
Courses include:
- Clinical Dentistry
- Clinical Practical Procedures
- Dental Materials/Environmental Health and Safety WHMIS
- Dental Radiography
- Diagnostic Records
- Medical Emergencies/CPR/First Aid
- Oral Facial Science
- Oral Pathology
- Orientation to Dentistry
- Pharmacology
- Prevention of Disease Transmission
- Preventive Dentistry and Nutrition
Successful graduates of this program are eligible to write the certification exam through the ODAA and upon passing, will attain the designation of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). The certification is recognized throughout Ontario by many employers in the dental community. Interested students must register and pay the examination fees to the ODAA.
For More Information
For more information on the Dental Office and Chairside Assistant program or other career education opportunities, contact Everest today!
