Advancement in this career is limited due to low education requirements. Some dental assistants advance to office management or product sales representatives. Others go to school for an additional year to become a dental hygienist. Dental assisting is very much an entry level position, but experience in field and additional education can be very lucrative.

Education / Getting Started

Several educational paths exist to become a dental assistant. Most dental assistants learn on job, however more and more dentists hire assistants with formal training. The American Dental Association accredits one and two year dental assistant programs leading to certificates or associate’s degrees. Some schools offer four to six month dental assisting programs, but these are not accredited. A clinical rotation is part of training.

Most States require dental assistants to be registered or licensed. Dental assistants who perform x-rays may be regulated by their State as well. The Dental Assisting National Board offers certification that meets registration requirements in over 30 states. CPR training and continuing education may be a requirement of a dental assistant.

Dental Assistant Summary

Training to be a dental assistant is a great way to get into healthcare field. It offers a great employment outlook, but additional education is needed to get into more lucrative jobs.

No, I use purple as my black because of Alice Walker and chromotherapy. If boysenberry walls stimulate deeper concentration in monks who spend all day meditating, it's good enough for me. Besides, I look good in it.

I hand out custom-ordered purple M&Ms in my workshops as part of a mindfulness exercise. I encourage clients to consider grape-colored items as triggers for paying attention. Would red work just as well? Possibly, but it's more glaring. Red reminds us of sirens--and blood.

Red says "gotta" while purple says "please". Red means business, but purple hints that there's a party down hall when you're finished.

Critics of pen switch say that educators should be more concerned with teaching skills and less worried about bruising feelings. They say that those traditional red pens create tension and that's what motivates students to get it right next time.

Hmm. Tension doesn't help me learn better.

I don't like paying bills, but using purple ink to write my checks makes it all a bit more festive. I'm guessing teachers would benefit from color switch as much as students.

Purple is color of mindfulness. I can't think of anything more likely to prevent mistakes than a friendly reminder to pay attention. Purple pens could turn out to be effective triggers for learning, and at very least, make those corrections more palatable.

Now, where's that party?