Back to School for a Better Career!

Is it time for you to consider a career in dental assisting?

It’s back-to-school time for kids and parents, and eagerness to learn is in the air. But even as you’re stocking up on glue sticks and crayons for the kids, you might be wondering how your own education has served you. Might it be time for you to head back to school to pick up some skills for a new and more rewarding career?

If so, the Sunrise School of Dental Assisting is here to help. Training in dental assisting could be the perfect way for you to enter a career path that offers flexibility, great income potential, and opportunities to grow, to say nothing of the good feeling that comes from helping people every day!

As a dental assistant, you’ll play a vital role on the front line of patient care. You’ll be by the side of a dentist as she performs procedures on patients. Before the procedures begin, you’ll be responsible for keeping the operatory organized and even sterilizing instruments. You might also help to prepare patients by taking their medical histories or helping them in the front office. In short, a dental assisting career gives you lots of opportunities to help patients directly and behind the scenes.

Plus, a career in dental assisting is also a smart move for your quality of life. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the field will be growing faster than average for the next decade, so there will be plenty of demand for your new skills. Most dental offices see patients on a set, regular schedule, and some aren’t even open a full 40 hours per week. In other words, you’ll be able to enter the medical field without having to worry about erratic hours or endless time on call. Even better, the pay is highly competitive.

Does this sound like a great career opportunity for you? If so, it’s time to get in touch with the Sunrise School of Dental Assisting! We offer 13-week courses on dental assisting for interested applicants, so you can learn the skills quickly and put them to work as soon as possible. You only need a high school diploma (or equivalent) and interest in joining the profession to apply. Even better, we offer training in real dentists’ offices, night and weekend classes, and affordable tuition rates.

This fall, don’t just send the kids back to school to learn their reading, writing, and arithmetic. Send yourself back to school to get new skills for a better career! Call the Sunrise School of Dental Assisting today to request an application. We look forward to seeing you this fall!

The Types of Jobs Dental Assistants Can Get

Whether you are currently enrolled in one of our programs or you are seeking a new job as a dental assistant, there are several types of jobs that are available. Depending on your lifestyle and family situation, there are both part-time and full-time dental assistant positions available at most dental offices.

If you are just starting a career in the industry and are seeking full-time work, this is the most common way to break into the field. Because there are so many tasks given to a dental assistant, it is often important to the dental office to have someone that can be trusted and willing to work a minimum of 40 hours per week.

For those who may be beginning a family or want to spend more time at home with loved ones, there are also part-time positions available at many dental offices. Below is more information about each position.

Full-Time Dental Assistants

Should you be interested in becoming a full-time dental assistant and have gone through the proper training with us, you will already be cognizant of the duties that will be expected of you on a regular basis. If you are considering joining our program and want to know what your career would possibly entail, you would normally be assigned to tasks such as preparing patients and the work area for procedures, sterilizing dental equipment, processing x-rays, record keeping and more.  There are many tasks that are assigned to a dental assistant on a daily basis and it is important that you be organized, are empathetic to patients and have good interpersonal skills.

Part-Time Dental Assistants

For those seeking part-time work, you will have many of the same tasks of a full-time employee and are expected to be just as competent in all ways. Recent studies have shown that 1 in 3 dental assistants are part-time employees and many work weekends and/or nights to better assist the office.

Potential Future Roles

The dental field offers many options for career growth. Many dental assistants learn that they have a passion for the field and want to develop their skills even further. If you are a dental assistant interested in a new position, such as a dental hygienist, you should be able to easily make the transition. With the experience and schooling you have already acquired, you will be set for success and will need to earn a AA degree in dental hygiene and complete certain licensing examinations specific to your state.

If there are any other questions that you have about potential jobs or you would like to learn more about our program, we ask that you please reach out to us today at Sunrise School of Dental Assisting!

Ways to Connect with Your Patients as a Dental Assistant

You can set yourself apart from other dental assistants by creating a personal connection with your patients. By doing this, you will ensure they feel calm and relaxed during their appointments. Just as importantly, that feeling of ease may change their entire outlook on going to the dentist and keep them returning to you for their dental care needs.

A lack of connection or a feeling of shame can prevent patients from accessing the dental care they need. By establishing a connection with them, the outcomes of your care will be better; patients will take better care of their teeth between visits and come for regular cleanings.

Developing a connection with your patients will not just give them a positive experience during their first appointment, but it will also ensure great dental health for years to come. The following are a few ways to create that connection:

  • Listen carefully. While this may seem obvious, listening to your patients involves far more than hearing what they say. Words of affirmation give the impression that you’re listening and will make your patients feel heard.
  • Use their name. This is simple and easy: make sure you refer to your patients by their names.
  • Ask questions. Ask your patients all the typical questions you would ask them and give them time to respond. If you’re working with a longtime patient, inquire about previous concerns.
  • Smile and nod. Eye contact, smiling, and nodding are clear indications to patients that you’re receptive and care about what they have to say.

As a dental assistant, you should always try to find ways to improve your approaches and seek a better outcome for your patients. When your patients are happy with their dental care experiences, the benefits are unending.

At Sunrise School of Dental Assisting, we can provide all the guidance you need to become a dental assistant and provide excellent care in your field. If you have interest in starting an exciting career, contact us today for enrollment information. And if you’re a dental assistant now, keep up with our posts to make sure you’re being the best dental assistant you can be.

How to Stand Out in the Dental Assisting Job Market

Top 5 Ways to Make Yourself a Top Candidate!

Whether you’ve been in the dental assisting field for decades or you’re just starting out, you want to make yourself the strongest candidate you can be. However, that’s easier said than done. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the dental assisting field is projected to grow by 19% by 2026, but with more opportunity comes more competition. How do you stand out from the crowd?

Sunrise School of Dental Assisting is here to help. Besides offering top-tier dental assistant education, we’ve also put together this list of five tips to help you become a star candidate. Check them out below!

 

1.       Get your education.

 This is the first and most important step. Getting the right education will open up all kinds of doors for you. Here at Sunrise School of Dental Assisting, our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to thrive in private practice. In fact, if you take advantage of our dental radiology course, you’ll be able to graduate with all of the educational credentials of a DAII, the highest certification of dental assistant in North Carolina.

 

2.       Keep learning.

 Dental assistant education is not a one-and-done deal. Even after you complete your initial education, you’ll want to regularly take continuing education courses to keep your skills sharp and your knowledge on the cutting edge. Not only will this help you in your day-to-day duties, but it can also position you well as you search for your next opportunity.

 

3.       Volunteer.

 Not all on-the-job experience has to be paid! Volunteering your dental assisting skills for community organizations can help you gain valuable experience and build your professional network. Plus, you’ll feel good, knowing that you’ve helped others in need.

 

4.       Polish your resume.

 Gaining the experience and education you’ll put on your resume is only half of the equation. Now you need to lay it all out in an easy-to-understand document that will show your best professional self to employers. Highlight your triumphs and accomplishments in every role; don’t just list job duties. Make sure the writing is clear and free from grammatical errors. If you need assistance, keep in mind that Sunrise School of Dental Assisting offers help composing resumes to current students.

 

5.       Avoid gimmicks.

 If you’ve been scouring the internet for job-seeking advice, you’ve probably come across articles advising you to show “gumption” in your job search. These articles will often share the story of a “creative” job applicant who baked a cake or sent a singing telegram to separate herself from the pack. This is exactly the sort of thing you shouldn’t be doing. A key part of being a dental assistant is being able to understand procedures and follow directions. You can show you’re up for the job by following the practice’s standard procedures for applications. There’ll be plenty of time to bake a cake for the office after you’ve proven yourself on the job.

 

Let Us Help You with the Next Step

These tips are just to get you started. If you’re breaking into the field of dental assisting or looking for continuing education opportunities, be sure to contact us today. We’d be happy to help you sharpen your skills and get ready for a rewarding career in dental assisting!

What Does a Dental Assistant Do?

What You Can Expect from This Exciting Career

If you’ve found your way to this post, you’ve probably already given some thought to a career in dental assisting. Maybe you heard about the growth in the field or the comfortable pay. Perhaps you are excited about the idea of working in a dental office with plenty of patient interaction. However, all those things won’t tell you what’s most important to you: how you would spend your days as a dental assistant. There’s no need to wonder anymore. Let us take you through some of the main duties of a dental assistant, so you can decide whether this career is right for you!

Duty 1: Chairside Assistance

As you might have guessed from the name, assisting the dentist in his or her work is the #1 duty of a dental assistant. Dental assistants are right by the dentist’s side as he or she works on the patient. Before the patient comes in, the dental assistant will prepare the room, including sterilizing and laying out any necessary instruments. During the procedure, the dental assistant will supply instruments to the dentist as needed. The assistant can also fabricate temporary crowns or assist in other ways. Afterward, the dental assistant will clean the room and prepare it for the next patient.

Duty 2: Patient Interaction

When a dental assistant isn’t helping the dentist, he or she is often interacting with patients. The dental assistant will often be the smiling face that welcomes a patient into the exam or operating room. He or she will often take the patient’s medical history and go through other important information. Through it all, a dental assistant is focused on making the experience as calming and as pleasant as possible for the patient.

Duty 3: Office Assistance

Let’s start with a caveat: every dentist’s office is different. Some offices staff administrative personnel to handle things like front desk operations and tracking inventory. Others prefer their dental assistants to wear many hats. A dental assistant could easily spend much of his or her day staffing the front desk, ordering new dental supplies, sterilizing instruments, and taking care of other tasks around the office.

Does Dental Assisting Sound Right for You?

Now that you know what a dental assistant does, it’s time for you to answer the most important question: is this career right for you? If you’re still not sure, the friendly staff at Sunrise School of Dental Assisting are here to help you find out. We can tell you more about your career prospects as a dental assistant, the day-to-day duties, and of course the training process.

If dental assisting is the career you would like to pursue the time to act for your future is now. Call us today to learn more about our classes and the exciting career of dental assisting!

Back to School for a Better Career!

Is it time for you to consider a career in dental assisting?

It’s back-to-school time for kids and parents, and eagerness to learn is in the air. But even as you’re stocking up on glue sticks and crayons for the kids, you might be wondering how your own education has served you. Might it be time for you to head back to school to pick up some skills for a new and more rewarding career?

If so, the Sunrise School of Dental Assisting is here to help. Training in dental assisting could be the perfect way for you to enter a career path that offers flexibility, great income potential, and opportunities to grow, to say nothing of the good feeling that comes from helping people every day!

As a dental assistant, you’ll play a vital role on the front line of patient care. You’ll be by the side of a dentist as she performs procedures on patients. Before the procedures begin, you’ll be responsible for keeping the operatory organized and even sterilizing instruments. You might also help to prepare patients by taking their medical histories or helping them in the front office. In short, a dental assisting career gives you lots of opportunities to help patients directly and behind the scenes.

Plus, a career in dental assisting is also a smart move for your quality of life. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the field will be growing faster than average for the next decade, so there will be plenty of demand for your new skills. Most dental offices see patients on a set, regular schedule, and some aren’t even open a full 40 hours per week. In other words, you’ll be able to enter the medical field without having to worry about erratic hours or endless time on call. Even better, the pay is highly competitive.

Does this sound like a great career opportunity for you? If so, it’s time to get in touch with the Sunrise School of Dental Assisting! We offer 13-week courses on dental assisting for interested applicants, so you can learn the skills quickly and put them to work as soon as possible. You only need a high school diploma (or equivalent) and interest in joining the profession to apply. Even better, we offer training in real dentists’ offices, night and weekend classes, and affordable tuition rates.

This fall, don’t just send the kids back to school to learn their reading, writing, and arithmetic. Send yourself back to school to get new skills for a better career! Call the Sunrise School of Dental Assisting today to request an application. We look forward to seeing you this fall!

The Benefits of Attending Dental Assisting School

Top 3 Reasons to Choose Sunrise School of Dental Assisting

You’ve decided to make a career change and join the growing, rewarding field of dental assisting. Fantastic! But before you can put on your uniform and start helping patients, you need training. We know the perfect place to get it: Sunrise School of Dental Assisting.

At Sunrise School of Dental Assisting, you won’t just learn the skills you need to become a capable and confident dental assistant. You’ll also get a leg up in your chosen profession, gaining the contacts and experience you need to make a successful career.

But you don’t have to just take our word for it. Check out the top three benefits of attending Sunrise School of Dental Assisting below.

1. Versatility
The field of dentistry is wide, and there are many different ways you can help patients. As you start this new career, you want to keep your options open. We can help! Our school offers programs in dental assisting and front office administration, and you can earn certifications in radiology and nitrous oxide sedation. Taking advantage of these programs will broaden your skillset and help to make you more valuable as an employee.

2. Student-Centered Experience
At Sunrise School of Dental Assisting, you’re the star! We know how hard it can be to make a career change and juggle the responsibilities of school, work, and family. That’s why we offer convenient evening classes and flexible payment options. Class sizes are small, and one-on-one tutoring is always available at no extra charge. Even better, our program coordinator is here to help you every step of the way, from enrolling in the program to graduation day.

3. Career Readiness
Forget about “mock clinics” and lackluster career services. At Sunrise School of Dental Assisting, we get you ready for the real world by putting you in actual dental offices. Plus, we offer plenty of assistance with the soft skills so necessary for a successful job hunt, including resume writing, interviewing, and more. And thanks to our extensive network of dental contacts, you’ll have a foot in the door almost anywhere you choose to go.

Enroll Today

If you’re ready to make a change, we’re ready to help you. Trust the team at Sunrise School of Dental Assisting to help you get ready for your new career. Give us a call to learn more, or simply apply now!