Dental Assistant School in Atlanta, GA & Cookeville, TN

Why Become a Dental Assistant?

Dental assistants play a vital role in the management and operation of dentists’ offices and dental health groups. Whether individual or larger practices, these businesses are always seeking employees with extensive training and real-world experience assisting with patient care.

Dental assistants are a valuable part of any dental office. They complete a range of duties from office management tasks to assisting with dental procedures such as fillings, crowns and extractions. Dental assistants provide patient care and chair-side support for dentists as they perform exams and procedures. In addition to technical assistance during dental procedures, one of the main roles of a dental assistant is to make the patient feel comfortable. A dental assistant is usually the first person a patient sees when they walk through the door and can help calm their nerves before a dental procedure.

A career as a dental assistant is rewarding, hands-on, and patient-centered. 

What Skills are Needed to Become a Dental Assistant?

Important qualities of a dental assistant, as listed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, include:

Detail oriented: Dental assistants must follow specific rules and protocols, such as infection control procedures, when helping dentists treat patients. Assistants also must be aware of what tasks they are allowed to complete in the state where they work.

Dexterity: Dental assistants must be good at working with their hands. They generally work in small quarters, using very precise tools and instruments.

Interpersonal skills: Dental assistants must work closely with dentists and patients. Sometimes patients are in extreme pain and/or mental distress, so the assistant should be sensitive to their emotions and fears towards dental procedures.

Listening skills: Dental assistants must listen to patients and other healthcare workers. They need to follow directions from a dentist or dental hygienist, so they can help treat patients and carry out technical tasks, such as taking x-rays.

Organizational skills: Dental assistants must have excellent organizational skills. They should have the correct tools in place for a dentist or dental hygienist to use when treating a patient.

Career Opportunities 

A career as a dental assistant is in high demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for dental assistants is projected to grow 19% by 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. The need and demand for dental care continues to increase, as ongoing research reveals the significant linkage between routine oral care and improvements in one’s general health. Dentists will always be hiring dental assistants to assist with routine tasks that ensure the dental office runs smoothly and efficiently.

Does this sound like the career for you? If so, then look no further than Genesis Career College’s Dental Assistant Program. Our program is just 36-weeks long and provides students the certification and training needed to begin their career.

Genesis Dental Assistant School 

The Genesis dental assistant school—which is always enrolling new students—includes instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, oral healthcare, restorative techniques, and medical office procedures, among others. Dental assistant training in the classroom is reinforced with an externship, which provides students valuable experience working with patients at a dental office. Real-life experience in the dental field gives our students the opportunity to make connections within their field and help them determine which practice they may want to begin their new career as a dental assistant. Each local Genesis campus is a resource for new employees for the surrounding community’s businesses and organizations. Over the years, Genesis has established externship sites and job placements with local dentist’s offices and dental health groups near our campuses in South Atlanta and Cookeville.

During dental assistant training in Cookeville or Atlanta, Genesis students master career-specific skills such as:

• Providing supportive oral health care
• Educating patients on proper oral hygiene
• Performing laboratory procedures
• Assisting in the management of a dental office

Completion of the program prepares students for the State of Tennessee’s or the State of Georgia’s certifying examination. Many graduates also choose to continue their education, to become dental hygienists or other specialists.

For opportunities in Cookeville, Tennessee, Atlanta, Georgia and beyond, Genesis’ fully accredited 36-week dental assistant school provides graduates with the tools and training they need to succeed in their new career path. To learn more about dental assistant training, click below to fill out the form and an advisor will be in touch.