Maggie Bloom https://howardacademy.edu 4m 1,055

The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.

A registered dental assistant is one of the most in-demand careers in San Diego, and if you’re looking to make a stable and fulfilling career change, there’s never been a better time than now. Becoming an RDA provides you with a great salary, flexible hours, and the opportunity to work in an awesome industry. So what are you waiting for? Here are 5 steps to becoming a registered dental assistant in San Diego.

1. Complete A Dental Assistant Program

The first step is to enroll in a dental assisting program. There are several accredited programs in San Diego that you can attend to become an RDA. These programs typically last between 18 and 24 months, so make sure you factor the time into your decision. Dental assistant programs cover everything you need to know to become an RDA: patient care, oral hygiene, filling and removing fillings, and cleaning dentures and bridges. You’ll also thoroughly understand the dental office and its procedures.

Getting a job as a dental assistant is easier if you’ve got the right credentials and clinical experience under your belt. This means that while you’re studying, you should also be working as an RDA at a dental office in San Diego. Your employer will help you by providing hands-on training; in some cases, they’ll even pay for the program tuition. These programs will provide you with a solid understanding of the field and assistance in getting your state registration.

A dental assistant program will also allow you to participate in a clinical setting, which will give you an understanding of how a dental office operates and prepare you for your role in the practice. Once you complete the program, numerous requirements will need to be met before you’re ready to take the state exam.

2. Get Licensed/Certificated

In San Diego, you’ll need to take the written and clinical skills exams to become a registered dental assistant. The written exam will test your knowledge of basic topics like anatomy, chemistry, and medicine. You’ll be given two hours to complete this multiple-choice portion of the test. The clinical skills portion is a hands-on portion that requires you to perform a number of tasks while an evaluator watches and judges your performance. It’s much like taking a driving test – you get another chance if you fail. To stay current with the latest information regarding the dental assisting profession and to get all the best registered dental assistant jobs in San Diego, become a member of the RDA Career Network. There’s no charge for membership, and it gives you access to our RDA Job Board, a list of all available positions in San Diego, and much more. Check it out today to put yourself on the path toward becoming a registered dental assistant in San Diego.

3. Get Experience

Once you’ve completed the state exam and have your certificate of registration, you’re ready to start applying for jobs. But before you submit your application, getting as much experience as possible is a good idea. If possible, try working in more than one dental office to learn how each one operates a little differently. Working in more than one practice will help prepare you for any situation that may arise – there are no two dental offices that are the same.

Don’t forget to be honest and up-front when you’re interviewing. Be prepared to answer questions about your previous experience, and be sure to tell them if you earned your RDA certificate through a state program rather than an accredited school. Make sure you also let them know whether or not you’ve received any additional training, like continuing education courses.

4. Create A Network

Once you’ve got some experience, it’s time to start connecting with people at your local dental office. That way, when the opportunity comes up to work in their practice, they’ll be able to rely on you and know that you’re the right choice for the job. Many RDAs will see an opening and take other opportunities as they come along, so it’s important to find a dentist who understands this fact and is ok with it. But make sure you’re not relying solely on your RDA network – think of your network.

On the job, you’ll be learning from the best. Your employer will teach you more than just how to do your job but also how to interact with customers and prioritize their needs. Listening and paying attention will become second nature for you to know what’s important and what isn’t. While this is new to you, your employer will be seasoned experts at it. Using your previous experience working with other RDAs and learning from each other, you can make the best of your situation.

5. Get Into A Program

The last key step is to get into an accredited school that offers a dental assisting program. After you’ve completed the program and have your certificate, you’ll be in a better position to network with others in the field and to apply for more positions than you’ve ever had before. You’ll also be able to work on advancing your career by adding an advanced certification, like becoming a dental lab technician.

Several schools in San Diego offer accredited dental assistant programs. By taking advantage of this opportunity, you can help yourself achieve your career goals – something many people spend years trying to do. So before you accept any job, try to find one that is both challenging and rewarding. This means that you’ll need to choose a school that will challenge your skills and provides you with the type of experience required to become a registered dental assistant.

Conclusion

A dental assistant job is one in which you’ll be able to grow and gain a lot of experience to help you develop your career. It’s also a great way to learn and get into dentistry. With this guide under your belt, you’ll be well toward becoming a registered dental assistant. But don’t stop here – continue researching the field and finding ways to advance your career. If you have any questions along the way, feel free to ask someone you trust, like your employer or an RDA that you know. Keep in mind that everyone has their views on what is right and wrong – so be sure to do some research on your own to make sure you’re making the right decision.

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