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Online Dental Assistant Degrees

Dental assistants are important to both dentists and their patients. They help dentists in caring for patients, perform office duties, and may be responsible for certain laboratory duties. Dental assistants are not dental hygienists. Rather, they are responsible for cleaning and sterilizing all dental tools as well as working with the dentist to provide the patient with the utmost care by providing an extra pair of hands to the dentist. Dental assistants have many responsibilities, but their primary objective is to make patients comfortable and provide them with the best care that the dentist's office can offer while assisting the dentist in his or her daily responsibilities.

Online Degrees in Dental Assisting

An online degree in dental assisting can provide excellent credentials for beginning a career as a dental assistant. Most states require licensure for dental assistants, but a degree or certificate may help in satisfying some of the requirements for licensure. There are several programs offered for online dental assistant degrees.

  • Online Dental Assistant Certification provides students with basic training in dental assisting tasks, such as educating patients about preventative dental practices. This is an excellent credential when seeking employment and is a good starting point. A certificate in dental assisting may aid in acquiring licensure from the state.
  • Online Dental Assistant Associate Degree is considered a good level of education for entry level jobs in the dentistry field. Many dentists’ offices prefer to hire someone with at least an Associate degree in dental assisting because the training for this degree reassures the staff that the individual can handle basic tasks and that they are ready to take on more responsibilities.
  • Online Dental Assistant Bachelor Degree prepares individuals for a career in dentistry. Employers are reassured by a Bachelor degree in dental assisting because the training for this degree includes the latest advancements in the dental field. Also, a Bachelor degree in dental assisting may enhance an individual's opportunities for advancement.

Online Dental Assistant Courses

Courses for online dental assistant degrees may vary from program to program or depending on the degree level. However, there are some courses that are likely to be found, regardless of the program. Coursework may include information about preventative dentistry and nutrition, dental materials, infection control, dental terminology, dental anatomy and physiology, clinical support, dental assisting theory, applied dental science, how to interact with patients, and more.

Dental Assistant Degree Careers and Salary Information

An online degree in dental assisting enables people to achieve careers in dentistry that they might not otherwise be able to qualify for. The median entry level salary for people with a degree in dental assisting is $28,446. However, this may range from $24,108 to $33,387 depending on the person's employment setting, level of education, and on-the-job experience. Employment settings include mainly dentists’ offices, but a small number of dental assistants are employed in Federal, State, and local governments or offices of physicians. Dental assistant jobs are projected to grow by 29% by 2016, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. A growing population and increased awareness of dental care have driven the demand for dental services upward, resulting in job growth for various dental careers. Also, dental assistants are increasingly being assigned additional responsibilities, so there should be an increase in demand for people who can fill these positions with excellent credentials or qualifications.

Online Colleges Offering Dental Assistant Degrees

Accreditation  

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. .
Accreditation  

Ashford University® is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Accreditation by the commission provides assurance to prospective students that Ashford University has been found to meet the commission's stated requirements and criteria. .
Accreditation  

The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Accreditation  

Bachelor's and Master's degrees: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges.
Accreditation  

Westwood College is currently nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) or the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS).
Accreditation  

A.T Still University is regionally accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Accreditation  

Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Accreditation  

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.The MSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC).
Accreditation  

Upper Iowa University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation  

The University of Saint Mary Online is accreditated by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Accreditation  

Bellevue University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation  

UMassOnline is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Accreditation  

Boston University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.,( one of six nationally recognized accrediting agencies).
Accreditation  

California Coast University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).
Accreditation  

Champlain College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges.
Accreditation  

Drexel University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Accreditation  

Fort Hays State University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Accreditation  

Franklin University is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Accreditation  

George Washington University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Accreditation  

Gonzaga University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges/Northwest Association of Schools & Colleges.
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