Dental Assistant Programs in Kentucky
Are you detail-oriented? Are you interested in starting your career in one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States? If so, you may have considered a healthcare career. At dental assisting schools in Kentucky, you may start your career in as little as one or two semesters.
Learn more about Kentucky training requirements by requesting information from dental assisting schools in Kentucky.
Dental Assistant Schools in Kentucky
Students who need to get into the workforce as quickly as possible may enjoy the convenience of a certificate or diploma program. These degree programs typically do not have general education requirements, so you simply take your required dental assisting courses to graduate.
Depending on which school you decide to attend, you may need one or two semesters of full-time study. If an Associate’s degree program better fits your career goals, you may get your degree in about two years at one of the dental schools in Kentucky.
As you work through your curriculum of required courses, get ready to build your skills via hands-on practice. While you may get some practice with model mouths and mannequins, you should also spend plenty of time working with real patients.
By working with patients of different ages, dental needs, and preferences, you may learn how to adapt to any professional situation that comes your way while keeping your cool and meeting the needs of your managing dentist.
Commonly Required Courses in Kentucky
- Infection Control in Dentistry
- Dental Sciences
- Oral Radiology
- Oral Pathology
- Clinical Dental Hygiene
- Dental Nutrition
- Materials in Dentistry
- Community Dental Health Issues
There are many facilities that make it easy for dental assisting students to apply for grants and scholarships. Colgate Professional is one of the largest companies in this industry, and they partner with many brands to offer scholarships to students.
Working as a Dental Assistant in Kentucky
Before you jump into the workforce, you need to earn your Kentucky dental assistant license. The Kentucky Board of Dentistry oversees this process. They require CPR certification and proof of any additional certifications you may have, including Coronal Polishing, Radiation Safety, and Starting IV Access Lines. The dentist that employs you must attest to your competency and be responsible for delegating tasks to you.
Dental assistants are in high demand in Kentucky. By the year 2024, O*Net expects job openings for dental assistants to swell 21% (2016). Currently, the average salary for a dental assistant in Kentucky is $33,610 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016). When you’re ready to start looking for dental assisting jobs in Kentucky, you may look for suggestions from your school’s student advisor. They may know about different job openings or be able to recommend you to local employers.