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Dental Assistant Programs in Maryland

How can you get started in the healthcare field without spending four years or more completing your degree? You can become a dental assistant, complete your training in two years or less, and start making a difference in a dental office near you.

Since dental assistants are trained in many different procedures and skills, they can do a lot to help their place of employment run smoothly.

If you’re ready to jump into the field of dentistry, get started now by reaching out to dental assisting programs in Maryland.

Dental Assistant Schools in Maryland

There are several types of dental assisting programs that you may come across during your search.

Certificate and diploma programs are very similar. They usually require between 15 and 40 credits, so they can be completed in one or two semesters.

The other option to consider is an Associate’s degree program. You need at least 60 credits to graduate with an Associate’s degree. About half of your credits should come from general education courses, and the other half should come from dental assisting courses.

Commonly Required Courses in Maryland

  • Dental Radiology
  • Dental Assisting Techniques
  • Chairside and Orthodontics Functions
  • Career Development in Dental Assisting
  • Oral Microbiology
  • Dental Materials
  • Dental Pharmacology
  • Dental X-Rays

To build on the knowledge you gain in the classroom, you need to get plenty of practical experience. While working chairside with dental hygienists and licensed dentists, you can learn how to communicate with patients and improve on your skills.

Once you’ve been accepted to your dental assisting program of choice, you can start applying for financial aid. The Pacific Dental Services Foundation is a national source of dental assisting scholarships. Consider applying as early as you can to avoid missing any deadlines.

Working as a Dental Assistant in Maryland

After your education is behind you, it’s onward and upward to the workforce. You do not need a license if you don’t do X-rays or expanded functions. If you want to become licensed in either of those areas, you can take your test through the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.

Dental offices all over Maryland can benefit from the help of a dental assistant. For that reason, job openings for dental assistants are expected to increase 21% between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2016). The average salary for a Maryland dental assistant is $39,260 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).

There are many type of dental clinics that may employ you. Community clinics often serve low-income individuals, so they may be open extended hours to accommodate a variety of schedules. Private clinics tend to keep fairly regular weekday hours. Chain clinics are often open nights and weekends in addition to weekdays.

You could create a rewarding career in dental assisting with the right training and education.

Explore degree options in Maryland by contacting dental assisting schools below.

Maryland

Allegany College of Maryland
Campus Locations in: Cumberland, MD
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant Program
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Anne Arundel Community College
Campus Locations in: Arnold, MD
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant Program
Program Types Offered: Associate Degree, Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Brightwood College
Campus Locations in: Baltimore, MD / Beltsville, MD / Towson, MD
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Cecil College
Campus Locations in: North East, MD
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant Program
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: CAAHEP

Everest Institute
Campus Locations in: Silver Spring, MD
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant Diploma
Program Types Offered: Diploma

Fortis College
Campus Locations in: Towson, MD
Matching Programs: Medical Assisting – Certificate
Program Types Offered: Certificate
Programmatic Accreditation: ABHES

Lincoln Technical Institute
Campus Locations in: Columbia, MD
Matching Programs: Medical Assisting – Certificate, Nursing (Practical) – Certificate, Pharmacy Technician – Certificate
Program Types Offered: Certificate

Sanford-Brown Institute
Campus Locations in: Landover, MD
Matching Programs: Medical Assistant – Certificate, Medical Assisting – Diploma
Program Types Offered: Certificate, Diploma
Programmatic Accreditation: ABHES