Dental Assistant Schools in Idaho

Dental assistants in Idaho dedicate most of their time to working closely with patients and dentists. With the former, they might take blood pressure and explain specific procedures.

With the latter, they help with patient preparation, equipment sterilization, and instrument handling.

Dental assistants also keep records of treatments and sometimes process X-rays under the direction of a dentist. Regardless of their specific duties, candidates who want to enter this profession must follow a few set guidelines for the best results.

The guide below exposes these guidelines and provides other resources that will come in handy along the way.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Idaho

The following are the steps to become a dental assistant in Idaho.

Meeting the Foundational Requirements

The foundational requirements to become a dental assistant in Idaho usually have more to do with training programs and employers rather than state mandates. For instance, training programs may require a high school diploma or GED before admission can be given.

Employers will also be on the lookout for soft skills like problem-solving, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Choosing an Accredited Training Program

The Commission on Dental Accreditation, which is part of the American Dental Association, offers accreditation for dental assisting programs. Candidates who complete an accredited program enjoy a series of benefits, including quality education and certification opportunities.

The best dental assistant programs include both classroom instructions and laboratory work. Ultimately, before they graduate, individuals in these programs would have developed expertise in instrument use, administrative tax, and anatomy. A lot of programs also make way for supervised practical experience.

Starting a Career

After accredited training, individuals can start dental assistant careers in Idaho. However, they will have an even more enjoyable time doing so if they spend some time pursuing certification first.

The following section explores this deeply.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become a chef in Idaho

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Certification can be very beneficial to an aspiring dental assistant in Idaho and anywhere else in the country. In fact, this is one of the reasons why training programs tend to either insist on certification or help candidates prepare for certification examinations.

The Dental Assisting National Board and its Certified Dental Assistant credential are usually the most popular options for individuals in Idaho who want to become certified. Candidates must pass a professional examination to prove that they possess the skills needed to be considered certified professionals.

Additionally, dental assistants may consider specialty credentials such as the Certified Orthodontic Assistant credential, the Radiation Health and Safety credential, and the Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant credential. The Dental Assisting National Board also offers all of these.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in Idaho

The state of Idaho offers the following training programs for prospective dental assistants.

Explore dental assistant schools in Idaho by city:

• Dental assistant schools in Boise

Salary & Career Outlook

Can a dental assistant in Idaho begin their careers with an annual average salary of $49,921? It is also possible for them to improve this figure consistently until they are able to manage around $64,618 in annual average salary.

The median earners in this category are considered to be professionals in the field. The third category includes candidates who fall among the top 10%, with an annual average salary of $83,641.

Analyzing specific locations (which can impact dental assistant earnings), Boise and Meridian are prominent, with annual average salaries of $69,748 and $69,077, respectively.

Also significant are dental assistants who work in Moscow and Post Falls, where the annual average salaries are $67,470 and $67,325, respectively. Those who work in Idaho Falls earn an annual average salary of $58,563.

Location, experience, credentials, and work environment also influence a dental assistant’s average annual salary in Idaho.