Dental assistants play an essential role in the dental office, supporting the dentist and dental hygienist.
If you have an interest in people’s oral health and have a gift for keeping people calm, then this career might interest you.
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- Licensing Requirements to Become an Alabama Dental Assistant
- 5 Dental Assistant Schools in Alabama
- Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the requirements to become a dental assistant in Alabama?
- How long does it take to complete a dental assistant program?
- What will I learn in my dental assistant classes?
- What are the hours like for a dental assistant in Alabama?
- Where in Alabama can I find a job as a dental assistant?
- Will my Alabama training help me become a dentist?
Licensing Requirements to Become an Alabama Dental Assistant
The state of Alabama does not require a license to work as a dental assistant.
However, most employers require that you seek training approved by the Commission on dental accreditation (CODA) American Dental Association (ADA).
You also could seek certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
However, you must make sure the place where you want to work honors the DANB certificates.
5 Dental Assistant Schools in Alabama
1. Coastal Alabama Community College
The Coastal Alabama Dental Assisting Certificate program consists of classroom instruction and clinical practice.
Your enrollment in this program will open you up to information about infection control, dental materials, dental radiography, and dental emergencies.
You will be ready to take your coda exam after finishing this training.
It is a start, and you can continue your education and earn an associate degree if you want.
Once you have finished this coursework, you will be ready to take your certification exam.
2. Lawson State Community College
The Lawson State College Dental Assisting certificate program is accredited by CODA.
It also will prepare you for the Dental DANB exams.
Your coursework will include both classroom and clinical instruction.
Speaking of clinical, you will have the opportunity to shadow licensed dental assistants and dentists.
Upon completion of this training, students will be eligible to sit for the DANB exams and apply for state licensure.
3. Trenholm State Community College
The Trenholm State Community College three-semester dental assistant certificate program prepares students for a career in the dental industry.
You also have the option of earning a dental assisting associate degree either at this school or another.
Your training will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform basic dental procedures.
It will also show you the best ways to communicate with patients and dental professionals and prepare you to take your dental board exam.
4. Wallace State
The Wallace State Dental Assisting Certificate program is accredited by CODA.
You will start with foundational courses in dental Anatomy and Physiology.
Then, you will move on to learning how to do X-rays and differentiate between different dental materials.
Your training will also include infection control using mandatory sanitation methods.
While enrolled, you also will have access to real-life training in dental office settings.
5. Calhoun Community College
The Calhoun Community College dental assisting certificate program offers students the opportunity to learn and practice basic dental procedures.
This training will prepare you for work in a variety of dental settings, including private practices, clinics, and hospitals.
Training takes about three semesters with the opportunity to also earn an associate degree.
CODA has accredited this coursework, which also includes necessary CPR training and patient record management instruction.
Dental Assistant Schools in Alabama – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Alabama
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Coastal Alabama Community College | 1900 US-31, Bay Minette, AL 36507 |
| Lawson State Community College | 3060 Wilson Rd SW, Birmingham, AL 35221 |
| Trenholm State Community College | 1225 Air Base Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36108 |
| Wallace State | 801 Main St NW, Hanceville, AL 35077 |
| Calhoun Community College | 6250 US-31, Tanner, AL 35671 |
Salary
A report on April 26, 2022, declared that a dental assistant in Alabama can earn an average annual salary of $38,238.
Yearly incomes may range from $38,914 to $42,428.
Upon advanced certification, you can earn more than $46,243 per year.
You can find jobs in Birmingham, Boaz, Elmore, or Florence.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dental Assistants in Alabama
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Birmingham | $38,638 |
| Montgomery | $36,598 |
| Mobile | $37,776 |
| Huntsville | $38,605 |
| Tuscaloosa | $38,260 |
| Georgiana | $36,271 |
| Dothan | $36,055 |
| Decatur | $37,426 |
| Auburn | $36,829 |
| Gadsden | $38,295 |
Regional Salary in Alabama
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | 70 | $35,920 | $17.27 | $46,030 | $28,050 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 110 | $38,680 | $18.6 | $54,750 | $28,990 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 1,200 | $37,980 | $18.26 | $45,930 | $29,050 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 220 | $38,220 | $18.38 | $49,240 | $28,740 |
| Decatur, AL | 110 | $37,800 | $18.17 | $52,200 | $23,450 |
| Dothan, AL | 110 | $38,220 | $18.38 | $53,260 | $28,570 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 130 | $35,590 | $17.11 | $43,830 | $28,120 |
| Gadsden, AL | 60 | $34,210 | $16.45 | $43,830 | $27,730 |
| Huntsville, AL | 390 | $40,110 | $19.28 | $48,330 | $29,860 |
| Mobile, AL | 300 | $38,270 | $18.4 | $47,860 | $29,250 |
| Montgomery, AL | 330 | $37,440 | $18 | $48,230 | $28,750 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 160 | $38,900 | $18.7 | $50,850 | $29,370 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to become a dental assistant in Alabama?
To become a dental assistant in Alabama, you must complete a dental assistant program that is accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and pass a state-administered examination.
How long does it take to complete a dental assistant program?
Most dental assistant programs can be completed in one year or less.
However, that is just for the entry-level position.
You will need two years of schooling at least for some positions.
This includes training for the dental hygienist occupation if you choose to move on to that position.
It is one more opportunity for you if you have spent time working in a dental office as a dental assistant already.
What will I learn in my dental assistant classes?
Your classes will cover dental anatomy, infection control and sterilization, patient management and care, chairside and office assisting, and radiology (X-ray taking analysis).
Aside from mastering office and chairside skills, you will experience what it is like to have to comfort patients who may feel anxious about undergoing dental work.
What are the hours like for a dental assistant in Alabama?
Dental assistants in Alabama typically work full-time hours, although some positions may be part-time or part-time.
For instance, if you are in school full time, your initial training may be only part-time until you complete your certificate or degree coursework.
Where in Alabama can I find a job as a dental assistant?
Opportunities for dental assistants include working in private dental practices, dental clinics, and hospitals.
Some nursing homes senior centers universities and community colleges also have dental offices that you can work in.
In fact, you might start out in your first position at the same school where you trained to become a dental assistant.
Will my Alabama training help me become a dentist?
Your initial training will provide you with a background that you will use throughout any certification level.
It will also prepare you for dentistry school.
However, keep in mind that you have to be careful you do not waste too much time taking classes you cannot transfer later to either a four-year school or a dentist graduate program.
Figure all that out now before you finish your entry-level training.
