Smiling at the Future
As dentistry looks towards 2020, the dental assisting profession is undergoing some exciting changes that point to a bright future for those with quality dental assisting training and skills.
According to Barbara MacMillan and Frank Fujita’s article in The Dental Assistant, assisting is growing quickly both in:
- Size — Demand is increasing for dental assistants as new positions open and dental assistants retire, transfer or leave the labor force.
- Depth — The duties assigned to dental assistants are expanding both in scope and complexity.
Dental Assisting training could open a door to a growing career not only assisting dentists, but also continually learning and developing new skills.
Fast Growth. Bright Future.
MacMillan and Fujita identify some of the changes in the dental profession that are causing the demand for trained dental assistants to grow so quickly. These include:
- More competitive atmosphere — Dental assistants will allow dentists to concentrate on tasks that translate into profitability.
- More tasks — Dentists will delegate increasingly intricate tasks to dental assistants to increase their productivity.
- Continuing evolution of dentistry — Increasing reliance on technology and the assistance of trusted dental assistants will help dentists stay ahead of the curve.
In fact, the Bureau of Labor says that, "dental assistants are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 projection period," predicting an impressive 29% growth rate.
Looking for a career that will help you smile at the future?
Resources:
MacMillan, Barbara; Frank Fujita,. "Predictors of success on the Dental Assisting National Board exam.(Personal Business)." The Dental Assistant. American Dental Assistants Association. 2005. HighBeam Research. 21 Apr. 2009, on the Internet at http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1dd-131762096.html
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Medical Records and Health Information Technicians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm
This is a national estimate and conditions in your location may vary.
