can i get a dental assistant job certificate directly from high school?

can i get a dental assistant job certificate directly from high school?

Yes!

Here is how it works.

Some states allow entry level dental assistants to start work with only a high school diploma. Offices train new assistants on the job. You learn x ray procedures, instruments, infection control, patient support, and chairside skills directly in the practice.

Other states require certification for certain tasks such as taking x rays or performing expanded duties. In those states, you can enroll in a short certificate program right after high school. Programs usually last nine months to one year. When you finish, you can sit for exams such as the NELDA, ICE, or RHS through the Dental Assisting National Board.

Even in states that do not require certification, completing a program helps you stand out. It improves your skills, increases your starting pay, and makes it easier to move into expanded duty roles.

So yes, you can begin your career right out of high school. Many dental assistants start this way and grow quickly with training, certification, and experience.