What is a certified dental assistant and how to become one

Key steps to become a certified dental assistant

1. Explore certified dental assistant education requirements

   Most common certified dental assistant degrees

   Associate

   31.1 %

   Certificate

   21.7 %

   Diploma

   15.7 %

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2. Start to develop specific certified dental assistant skills

   Skills	Percentages
   Patients	26.40%
   Dental Procedures	9.24%
   CPR	8.03%
   Chair Side	5.55%
   Patient Care	3.87%

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3. Complete relevant certified dental assistant training and internships

   Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New certified dental assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a certified dental assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real certified dental assistant resumes.

4. Gain additional certified dental assistant certifications

   Certified dental assistant certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific certified dental assistant certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

   The most common certifications for certified dental assistants include Dental Assistant (RDA) and Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).

   More About Certifications

5. Research certified dental assistant duties and responsibilities

   • Manage surgery center infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards.
   • Provide excellent customer service to dental patients and represent the organization at trade shows and presentations.
   • Reconcile payments, verify insurance benefits, schedule appointments and present patients with necessary treatment plans.
   • Assist in oral surgery under local and twilight anesthesia in a private practice setting.Primary IV starter and administer anesthetics on command.

6. Prepare your certified dental assistant resume

   When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your certified dental assistant resume.

   You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a certified dental assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

   Choose From 10+ Customizable Certified Dental Assistant Resume templates

   Build a professional Certified Dental Assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Certified Dental Assistant resume.
   

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7. Apply for certified dental assistant jobs

   Now it's time to start searching for a certified dental assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

   1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
   2. Consult your professional network
   3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
   4. Watch out for job scams