Looking For a Career Change in Denver, Colorado? Here's Why You Should Consider Dental Assisting
If you are considering a career change in Denver, Colorado, there are several reasons to consider a career in dental assisting. Becoming a dental assistant could be an excellent choice if you are passionate about helping people and want a career where you can make a difference in other people's lives.
Dental assistants play an essential role in dental offices, providing support to dentists, helping to ensure appointments run smoothly, and interacting with patients meaningfully. The great news is this job is perfect for people looking for a career change at any age, whether it's a career change at 40 all the way to a career change at 25.
What Does a Dental Assistant in Denver, CO, Do?
Before we address why you should consider a career as a dental assistant, let's discuss what the job entails. While every practice differs, you can expect to take on the following responsibilities.
- Seating patients in exam rooms, obtaining patient history, and taking X-rays
- Preparing and assisting dentists with procedures such as fillings and crowns
- Cleaning and preparing patient rooms
- Taking dental impressions
- Sterilizing dental tools and equipment, setting up instrument trays, and preparing materials
- Scheduling patient appointments, answering questions, and filing records
- Providing excellent patient care and instructing patients on proper dental hygiene techniques
A lot of the soft skills necessary to be a great dental assistant make it a perfect job for teachers changing careers, and dental assisting is one of the most common career changes for nurses.
Dental Assisting is an In-demand Profession
One of the top reasons why a career change to a dental assistant is a smart move is because of the strong job market and high demand for dental assistants. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of dental assistants is expected to grow 8% between 2021 to 2031, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Additionally, there are projected to be about 56,400 job openings each year over the decade, meaning plenty of opportunities for those wanting to begin a career in dental assisting.
Oral health is an important piece of well-being, and dental care is essential for people of all ages. As a result, there will always be a need for dental assistants!
Benefits of Becoming a Dental Assistant
There are many benefits of becoming a dental assistant, some of which include:
- Low-Stress Environment
- Great Entry-Level Job
- No College Degree Needed
- Great Career Path
- Help People On a Daily Basis
Although no day is the same and there will be a lot of variety each day depending on how busy the office is where you work, working as a dental assistant is generally a low-stress job. As a dental assistant, you will be well-trained, understand your job responsibilities and know exactly what is expected of you.
The best part is you'll work with a great group of professionals in a collaborative and team-oriented environment who want to help people. Dental assisting offers an array of responsibilities and challenges, making the work interesting and fulfilling.
Dental assisting is an excellent entry-level job with competitive pay, plenty of job opportunities, and room for advancement. Dental assistants will earn a steady income and enjoy financial stability and flexible hours. If you decide to attend Denver Dental Assistant School, you will begin your first job fully equipped with the necessary skills to succeed.
And because dental assistants are in such high demand, it's a great position to get your foot in the door in the field. Additionally, you can look forward to a higher average annual wage than other healthcare support occupations.
If you're a high school student or recent graduate who isn't quite sold on going to a four-year college, or maybe you're looking for a career change at 50 and don't have a degree, this may be a fantastic option. College is a big time commitment and quite costly.
College graduates are now graduating with an average debt of $28,400, and many don't have a clear career path after graduation. As a dental assistant, you can begin working and earning money in just a few months – no college degree or debt required!
Although dental assisting is an excellent career on its own, it also opens up many additional career opportunities in the field of dentistry. With experience, dental assistants can advance to hygienists, dentists, office managers, educators, dental laboratory technicians, sales representatives, or even research associates, leading to a higher earning potential. This potential for career growth and advancement allows dental assistants to build long-term and fulfilling careers in the dental field.
One of the top benefits of working as a dental assistant is getting to work with and help people from all walks of life daily. You have the opportunity to ensure every person who walks through the office door leaves with a smile. Plus, you will build ongoing and meaningful relationships with patients. You will find dental assisting to be an extremely satisfying and rewarding career.
Start Your Dental Assisting Career Today
Ready to take the next step? We'd love to help you build a new career as a dental assistant! Our 12-week dental assistant course at Denver Dental Assistant School has helped thousands of students begin a career in the dental field at a fraction of the cost of many other schools, all while providing all the skills, training, and requirements needed to be successful.
Apply today or contact Admissions for more information.