A growth in jobs for dental assistants over the next 10 years is projected to exceed 20% here in Illinois. The Bureau of Labor Statics places dental assistant in the category of jobs that are growing “much faster than average” and says the job outlook is “excellent.” That news is encouraging many Illinois residents to seek more information. If you are interested in a career as a dental assistant, the first step is to find out what the dental assistant requirements in Illinois include.
Becoming a Dental Assistant in Illinois
There are no specified dental assistant requirements in Illinois for this position. The dental practice or human resources personnel are free to hire any person who is eligible to legally work in Illinois. While there are no specific requirements, many employers will expect at least a high school diploma or a GED. In addition, having a diploma from completing schooling as a dental assistant will likely help your job prospects.
For the dental assistant level, on the job training is used to teach all that is required of this position. A dental assistant job description at this level includes basic assistant given to the dentist or to a dental hygienist.
Becoming a Dental Assistant Qualified in Expanded Functions
This is where there are specific dental assistant requirements in Illinois. To become a dental assistant qualified in expanded functions, you must pass these requirements.
1. Be at least 18 years old.
2. Complete an accredited dental assistant program from a local community college, career institute or private college. The Commission on Dental Accreditation is the organization that does the accrediting, and there are CODA-accredited schools throughout the state of Illinois.
Instead of that requirement, you can become certified by passing the comprehensive exam offered by the Dental Assistance National Board. Completing both an accredited training program and the DANB exam to become a Certified Dental Assistant is the clear path to the best jobs and the highest pay.
3. You must also pass a course relative to the expanded function that you will engage in, such as polishing teeth, monitoring patients under nitrous oxide, or filling pits and fissures in the surface of teeth.
Passing these dental assistant requirements in Illinois will allow you to perform all the responsibilities of the job. Those responsibilities are expanding, and dental assistants are now performing tasks that previously only dental hygienists or dentists did. These changes have made the skills and training as a dental assistant more valuable than ever.
http://www.danb.org/PDFs/Charts/Illinois.pdf
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm
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