SmileSystems School

Link: http://www.SmileSystems.org

My name is Dr. Robert Wilkoff. I am the director of the SmileSystems School of Dental Assisting, located in Rockledge, PA.  I'll be using this blog to inform and educate current and future students about why becoming a Dental Assistant is a great career choice. Stay tuned and let me know what you think. SmileSystems.org

Did you know that the U.S. Department of Labor (Bureau of Labor Statistics) has stated that jobs for Dental Assistants are expected to grow almost 30% through 2016 – that's faster than almost all other occupations. Dentistry is a huge, multi-billion dollar industry that is expanding like never before.  As members of the baby boom generation age, their fillings and old dental work will need to be replace or upgraded. Every year, 61 dental schools in the U.S. graduate almost 4000 dentists who need properly trained help in their offices!

Our goal is to train new dental assistants to be more than qualified to enter this exciting field. There are other schools in this region, but they typically take a YEAR or more to complete and cost 3 times as much!!  Most importantly, we will teach you in just 13 weeks, how a real dental office works. You will lean how to effectively assist in the treatment of dental patients and make a difference in their lives, as well as your own.

What does a dental assistant do?

Dental assistants are an important part of the dental team. Their responsibilities include helping the dentist during dental procedures, taking xrays, sterilizing instruments, taking dental impressions, explaining and communicating with patients and many other tasks.

Who do I assist?

Most of the time assistants work directly with the doctor whenever patients are being treated. In some dental offices, DA’s will also assist Dental Hygienists. Many dental assistants carry out administrative tasks under the supervision of an office manager or receptionist.

What other staff  members works  in the office?

Besides the dentist, dental hygienists are responsible for cleaning teeth and performing periodontal (gum) treatments. Receptionists and office managers work in the front or administrative part of dental offices. They coordinate staff schedules, book appointments, collect fees and generally handle all the non-clinical tasks in the dental workplace.

What salary range can I expect?

Starting salaries can range from $9 to $15 per hour, usually based on your skill level and experience. Some dental assistants who have received specialized training can make as much as $25 per hour.

Are there available jobs in the industry?

Even in these difficult economic times, dentists need dental assistants. With the aging population and the numbers of new dentists graduating from dental schools all over the country, the demand for well-trained dental assistants will continue to increase. The U.S. Department of Labor has estimated that jobs for dental assistants are expected to grow almost 30% through 2016 - that’s much faster than most occupations.

What skills will I learn in school?

The program includes a complete review of the dental profession, the basic sciences involved in dentistry and the methods and materials used by dental assistants in working dental offices. The laboratory portions of the course allow students to refine the skills and knowledge necessary to assist a dentist in treating patients in a typical dental practice, specialty office or clinic. This course provides for student certification in CPR and the DANB Radiological Health and Safety Exam Certification. Some of the areas of training will involve:

- Identifying dental instruments

- Using suction equipment to keep the patient’s mouth clear and dry

- Taking dental impressions and making dental models

- Sterilization of instruments and equipment

- Dental terminology and dental charting

- Transferring instruments during treatment

- Taking and processing dental xrays

- Making bleaching trays and using teeth bleaching systems

- Obtaining dental and medical histories

- CPR certification and much, much more...

Do I need to take any board certification tests?

Certification exams are not necessary in Pennsylvania, but are available for dental assistants who are interested and who have successfully completed their coursework at this school. New Jersey does require dental assistants to pass a certification test before they can be licensed.

Can I work part or full time?

There are many different kinds of dental assisting positions and jobs available. Some dentists only work part time and others have many assistants in one office, so there is a lot of flexibility.

Why is your school different?

The SmileSystems School of Dental Assisting focuses on ‘hands-on’ training, rather than spending the majority of the time in a lecture or classroom. The school is located in an actual practicing dentist’s office, where actual assisting experiences are emphasized. The class size is purposely kept small, so each student receives more attention than is possible in bigger schools. There is a dentist and other instructors on the floor at all times to teach and demonstrate the correct way to accomplish tasks. We have developed an accelerated training program to teach the fundamentals of dental assisting in JUST 13 WEEKS, not a year or more. One other important difference is that our school tuition is thousands of dollars less than competing programs.

How can I pay for school?

We have made the SmileSystems School of Dental Assisting much more affordable than other schools in the Philadelphia region. We have several payment plans available and offer a financing plan for students who need to pay over an extended time.

Do I need a high school diploma?

Yes, a high school diploma is a requirement for entrance.

What if I didn’t graduate from high school? Is a GED acceptable?

A GED is acceptable.

 

 

If you answered yes to one or both of these questions, then becoming a dental assistant is the career for you! The dental assistant is a crucial member of the dental team. Many patients describe themselves as "dental phobics," as they are afraid to go to the dentist for a variety of reasons. Often, the dental assistant is the first person they see. The assistant greets the patient and is often privy to conversations about their fears before the dentist enters the room. They have the opportunity to make the patient feel at ease. Just listening to a fearful patient  voice their fears and being able to comfort them and reassure that they will be well taken care of is a vital part of the treatment. Many patient's first impressions of the office and the entire dental team is made in those first few moments.… If a patient feels comfortable and safe in the dental environment, the dentist's job is much easier. When the entire staff works as a team, the patient's experience is a positive one. The patient feels safe and well cared for, the dentist feels confident in his staff and the assistant feels she is a valued member of the team.

 

Do you dread going to work each day? Do you feel what you do is a waste of our your time? Wouldn't you like to love going to work and do something useful while earning an excellent salary? IF you answered yes to any of these questions, come visit our website at www.smilesystems.org. Learn how you can change your life in just 13 weeks. Training to become a dental assistant is fun, exciting and affordable! The Smilesystems School of Dental Assisting can have you trained and ready to enter the thriving field of dental assisting in just 13 weeks. Well, what are you waiting for???????