[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the dental assisting field [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm#tab-6/”]to grow 7% by 2032[/hen-ui-link], meaning nearly 25,000 new jobs for dental assistants. Earning a dental assistant certificate or degree online will position you to compete for one of these in-demand jobs. An aging population led by baby boomers with good dental health helps explain the expansion of the dental assisting occupation. As business for dental offices grows, so too will the need for qualified support. Dental offices employ over 91% of all dental assistants.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Dental Assisting Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ id=”guidelines”]Online Dental Assistant Certificate Program Ranking Guidelines[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We selected these accredited online dental assistant programs based on the quality of the program, types of courses provided, faculty strength, school awards, rankings and reputation, including the reputation for providing online degree programs.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/ranking-methodology/”] Rankings Methodology[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Example Courses for an Online Dental Assistant Certificate Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Example Courses for an Online Dental Assistant Associate Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How Long Does It Take to Complete a Dental Assistant Program?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-card title=”50 Best Online Colleges & Universities” href=”/rankings/online-colleges/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can take various paths to a career in dental assisting. For states that require no formal training, those interested in dentistry can learn the duties of the occupation on the job. Most states, however, require dental assistants to obtain credentials. There are three educational paths one can pursue: diploma, certificate, or associate degree. The one you choose will determine how long before you can apply for certification and enter the field.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To earn a dental assistant certificate online, it can take fewer than 12 months. However, most programs last a year. An online dental assistant degree requires at least 60 credits and usually takes two years to complete, the same as other associate degrees. Factors that could affect program length include the number of transfer credits a student brings to the program, the number of terms per year, and whether the program is self-paced or part of a cohort where students progress through courses together.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”careers”]What Can I Do With a Dental Assistant Certificate or Degree?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What you learn from a dental assistant online degree program is very similar to that of an online certificate. The main difference is that associate degree students also take general education courses, such as English, writing, and math. Earning a dental assistant certificate online qualifies you for many of the same jobs as an associate degree, but the degree can make you more marketable. While it takes more time to complete and costs more overall, your job prospects and earning potential will increase with an associate degree.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Career Paths for Graduates of Dental Assistant Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to being detail-oriented and organized, dental assistants are also effective communicators. With further studies, prospective dental assistant could easily pursue occupations in similar environments that seek similar qualified support, such as the medical assisting field.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm#tab-1/”]Dental Assistants:[/hen-ui-link]

Dental assistants are responsible for taking patient X-rays, scheduling appointments, and completing general recordkeeping.

[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Median Annual Salary: $44,820[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Minimum Education Requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

[hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm#tab-1/”]Dental Hygienists:[/hen-ui-link]

Duties of dental hygienists include teeth cleaning, examining patients for signs of caries and other problems with teeth and gums, and helping patients with preventative care to provide them with a better understanding of their oral health.

[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Median Annual Salary: $81,400[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Minimum Education Requirements: Associate degree[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

[hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm”]Medical Assistants:[/hen-ui-link]

Medical assistants primarily provide administrative and clerical support to medical businesses, including hospitals, clinics, and private practice. According to the BLS, more than half of medical assistants work full-time in physicians’ offices.

[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Median Annual Salary: $38,270[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Minimum Education Requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

[hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy-technicians.htm/”]Pharmacy Technicians:[/hen-ui-link]

Pharmacy technicians primarily help with prescription fulfillment. They gather information on prescriptions to fill, package and label prescriptions, and organize medication and supplies for a pharmacy or clinic. A pharmacy technician is the first point-of-contact for a pharmacy store.

[hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Median Annual Salary: $37,790[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Minimum Education Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [/hen-ui-list]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”transfer”]Transferring to a Dental Assistant Associate Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many who pursue a dental assistant certificate online choose to transfer into an associate program, earning their dental assistant degree online soon after. In associate degree programs, students take general education courses, which can prove valuable when it comes to boosting one’s skill set and resume.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All dental assistant certificate programs and associate degrees accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) involve laboratory work and prepare you for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. You’ll need this credential to help with more advanced dental assisting duties like taking radiographs. Those who transfer into an associate degree can take the exam upon graduation.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Those who learn on the job must accrue 3,500 hours of approved work experience before they can apply for the CDA certification. According to the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), full-time certified dental assistants made on average $2 more per hour than non-certified assistants. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.danb.org/The-Dental-Community/Dental-Assistants/Salary-and-Benefits.aspx”]organization’s survey[/hen-ui-link] also found that certified dental assistants received more benefits as well, such as a 401(k) plan, paid sick leave, and paid vacation.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”accreditation”]Accreditation for Certificate Programs[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As noted, earning your diploma, certificate, or online dental assistant degree from an accredited program is necessary to fast-track your way to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.danb.org/The-Dental-Community/Dental-Assistants/Dental-Assisting-Programs.aspx/”]CDA certification[/hen-ui-link]. In general, accredited schools and programs provide prospective students with valuable consumer protection. An accredited school or program must meet or exceed the established criteria of a credible, independent organization, which has itself gained approval from the U.S. Department of Education (ED).[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Regional and national accreditation refers to an institution, while specialized accreditation — like that which the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) grants — refers to a specific program. While ED recognizes all six regional accreditors in the U.S., this is not the case for all national accrediting bodies or field-specific organizations.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″] Given this, students should check the [hen-ui-link href=”https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/agency-list/”]ED database for recognized agencies[/hen-ui-link], as accreditation can impact financial aid eligibility and the transferability of credit. ED recognizes both CODA and the American Dental Association (ADA). Dental assisting students should look for CODA- or ADA-accredited programs to ensure the diploma, certificate, or degree will qualify them for the CDA exam and eventual licensure.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”finance”]Financing Your Online Dental Assistant Program[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To apply for federal funds, you must submit your [hen-ui-link href=”https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa”]Free Application for Federal Student Aid[/hen-ui-link] (FAFSA) by the deadline. Among the FAFSA eligibility requirements include the criterion that students must enroll in an accredited school or program. For prospective dental assisting students, this means a CODA-accredited dental assistant degree program. Community college students likely meet this criterion as well through the school’s regional accreditation. For scholarships, make sure to research offers at the local, state, and national levels and from professional organizations like the American Dental Association (ADA), the [hen-ui-link href=”http://ndafoundation.org/dental-scholarships.html/”]National Dental Association Foundation[/hen-ui-link] (NDAF), and the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.adaausa.org/Membership/Awards-and-Scholarship-Information/”]American Dental Assistants Association[/hen-ui-link] (ADAA).[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]