To work as a dental assistant in Texas, you need to get a certificate of dental care in one of the Dental Assistant Schools In Texas.
To become nationally certified, dental assistants can successfully complete the Dental Nursing National Board (DANB) exam and the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam.
Many of the Dental Assistant Schools In Texas offer certificate programs for people who want to become dental assistants. Some programs require clinical training so students can gain the hands-on experience they need to succeed.
If you love helping people and want to pursue a career as a dentist, any of these dental assistant schools can help you achieve that goal.
There are many dental assistant schools in Texas. Each dental assistant school on this list is properly accredited:
Are There Dental Assistant Schools In Texas?
Yes, infact there are two paths to becoming an RDA in Texas: the state-specific path and the national certification path. A prospective RDA must be BLS certified in all cases.
A dental assistant who is not nationally certified must complete a course approved by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). The board notes that courses taken in other states are not recognized in Texas.
An individual who works as a dental assistant but does not have x-ray experience may work under supervision for one year before meeting the requirements.
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How Much Do Dental Assistant Schools Cost In Texas?
In Texas, you can expect to pay about $23,300 at most for a certificate program. If you choose to pursue an associate’s degree, it will cost a little more at around $35,660.
There are several dental assistant schools in Texas, and each has its own fees for its program. Depending on several factors, such as where the applicant is located in-state, out-of-state, and in-county, your fees will vary.
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What Are The Requirements For Dental Assistant Schools In Texas?
Many community colleges and private dental assistant schools in Texas offer hands-on training that leads to a career as a dental assistant.
For example, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) lists several approved dental assistant schools in Texas on the board’s website.
The dental assistant school curriculum introduces students to office procedures, dental instruments, dental terminology, and standard dental care procedures.
Dental assistants can also gain basic skills on the job. However, only registered dental assistants (RDAs) in Texas can assist with x-rays.
Texas law requires dental assistants to complete the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) course, complete basic life support training, be certified by the National Board of Dental Assisting, and pass the TSBDE Jurisprudence Evaluation to obtain the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certificate.
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What Are The Best Dental Assistant Schools In Texas 2024?
Attending dental assisting school and obtaining certifications for advanced functions will increase your chances of employment. There are about 9 CODA accredited dental assistant schools in Texas. There are also other colleges and institutions in Texas that offer dental assistant programs. Here are the CODA accredited schools you can attend:
#1. Altierus Career College, Houston
Altierus Career College prepares a workforce of dental assistants with a strong emphasis on patient care and related job-ready skills.
With an emphasis on practical training, graduates are thoroughly trained to meet the challenges of this profession.
This short Dental Assistant course will train you to work in the field of dental care in just 9 months. For high school students, the college recommends choosing biology, chemistry and mathematics as subjects.
These courses are an ideal foundation for dental assistant coursework, which includes technical courses such as dental radiography, dental anatomy and orthodontics, laboratory procedures and dental specialty know-how.
After graduation, you can take an entry-level dental assistant position in a clinic of your choice.
#2. Texas State Technical College, Waco, Harlingen
Texas State Technical College has been serving students in the Lone Star State for over 50 years. Its specialized professional training is aimed at meeting the changing needs of the healthcare industry.
In less than 8 months, this certificate program will help you gain the professional competence you need to become a dental assistant.
Dynamic coursework includes six credit hours of supervised clinical practicum where you will apply classroom knowledge and skills in a clinical setting.
After completing this course, you can either continue working in a dentist’s office as a dental assistant or get a job as a dental laboratory technician.
#3. Concorde Career College, Dallas, Grand Prairie and San Antonio
Dental assistant careers are witnessing phenomenal growth in the state of Texas as more and more people seek advanced oral procedures.
To meet this growing demand, Concorde Career College offers vocational training at three convenient locations across the state.
This coursework includes both the clinical and administrative aspects of a dental assistant career. You will begin your training with an introduction to dental care and finish it with an externship in a real dental facility.
The program will teach you how to effectively assist a dentist by performing various duties such as preparing patients for procedures, performing laboratory procedures, maintaining patient records, and scheduling appointments.
Upon completion, you will receive a diploma and be eligible to take the CDA and RDA exams.
#4. Amarillo College, Amarillo
To be a successful dental assistant, you must be patient, have good communication skills, and have clinical skills. Amarillo College develops a curriculum that incorporates all of these factors, thus training graduates to be job-ready.
Before starting this two-semester certificate course, you must complete required coursework in English, Psychology, Anatomy, and Interpersonal Communication.
Basic dental assistant coursework includes courses in dental radiology, dental laboratory procedures, knowledge of dental materials, effective communication, and office management.
With a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, 20% of your program time will be spent in local dental offices where you will learn through observation and real-time practice.
After completing this course, you will be able to successfully perform front office and back office functions in a dental office.
#5. San Antonio College
San Antonio College is one of eight institutions in Texas accredited by the American Dental Association. This means that the training program you are taking meets the high standards set by the ADA.
The college offers a certificate and an associate of applied science degree for those applying to become dental assistants.
Both of these programs, offered in the fall, will train you to perform the administrative, clinical, and laboratory functions necessary to work in a dental office.
The three-semester Level 1 Certificate covers 14 technical courses to help you master dental materials, dental radiology, dentistry, laboratory procedures, preventive dentistry, dental office management and advanced dental assisting programs.
The Associate Degree curriculum requires you to complete 60 credits, which include 14 technical and an additional 9 general education courses. The first three semesters of technical coursework follow two semesters of general education courses.
#6. Grayson College, Denison
Grayson College thoroughly prepares dental assistant graduates to sit for the RDA and CDA exams.
The excellent combination of classroom work, laboratory sessions and clinical practicum ensures that you will gain all the professional skills and knowledge you need to succeed in this career.
This dental assistant program in Texas offers two options: a certificate and an associate degree.
While both programs require a dental assisting course that takes 9.5 months to complete, an associate degree requires an additional 25 hours of general education courses that can be taken before or after completing the dental assistant coursework.
The college is offered to up to 25 students each year. Before starting the program, you must complete courses in general psychology and English.
#7. Del Mar College, Corpus Christi
If you are looking to start a career in the fast-growing healthcare industry, then considering Del Mar College to complete a dental assistant program can open up employment opportunities in a variety of fields.
Depending on your career goals, you may choose a certificate or associate degree program.
While the Certificate is Level II in Dental Assisting and focuses primarily on dental radiology, the Associate in Applied Science is a more comprehensive learning experience as it also includes general education courses in the humanities.
The course work involves clinical practice in the dentist’s office, which is planned in agreement with the teachers, the dentist and the student. This provides a personalized hands-on experience and hones you in a subject of your interest.
#8. Tyler Junior College, Tyler
Tyler Junior College provides dental students with state-of-the-art learning facilities where they strive to achieve positive academic outcomes.
This dental assistant school in Texas also has its own dental clinic on campus, allowing students to observe dental patients being treated up close.
This Certificate in Dental Assisting is an 11-month course that will help you enter the dental field.
In this short period of time, you will complete didactic lectures, laboratory sessions and clinical training that will make you proficient in assisting the dentist in routine diagnostic, operative, administrative and laboratory procedures.
Upon completion of this 30 hours of coursework, you will be eligible to take the nationally recognized CDA certification exam and the RDA licensure exam required by the Texas Board of Dental Examiners.
#9. Vista College, El Paso
Vista College offers a dynamic, student-centered learning environment where students are taught by faculty who have direct experience in the field of dentistry.
In addition, the college maintains small class sizes to ensure individual student attention. The college’s caring staff will help you from admission to getting the job you want.
This dental assistant diploma includes an optional AAS program for those who want to expand their knowledge as a dental assistant. While the degree can be earned in 12 months, the AAS takes 20 months of study.
An additional 8 months of total coursework can be completed during the day or evening, depending on personal preference. The diploma focuses mainly on dental procedures, dental radiography and infection control.
On the other hand, AAS covers a wider range of topics including office administration and customer service.
#10. College of Health Professions, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, McAllen, Houston, and San Antonio
To become a dental assistant in Texas, the College of Health Professions offers a dental assistant certificate program in a hybrid format as well as an on-campus format at several locations in the state.
There are also part-time (evening) and full-time (day) options to choose from. This flexibility and convenience is best for students who work or have family responsibilities.
This dental assistant certificate can be completed in 36 or 54 weeks, depending on the schedule you choose. The coursework is divided into eight modules, totaling 36.6 credit hours.
You will learn about anatomy, physiology, dental charting, preventive dentistry, dental radiology, infection control, dental materials, dental procedures, dental operations, medical ethics and law, customer service, and office procedures.
How Much Do Dental Assistants In Texas Earn?
The average salary for a dental assistant in Texas is more than double the state minimum wage, with the current hourly wage being just over $19.08.
With a monthly salary of around $3,310, you can afford a nice apartment or mortgage once you graduate and land a position in dentistry.
Dental care in Texas pays 6.63% slightly below the national average. While that may sound like a lot, it’s only $2,630 less than the national average, which is offset by the generally lower cost of living you enjoy living in the Lone Star State.
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How Do I Become Dental Assistant In Texas?
There are two paths to becoming an RDA in Texas: the state-specific path and the national certification path. A prospective RDA must be BLS certified in all cases.
A dental assistant who is not nationally certified must complete a course approved by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE).
The board notes that courses taken in other states are not recognized in Texas. An individual who works as a dental assistant but does not have x-ray experience may work under supervision for one year before meeting the requirements.
National certification is granted by the National Board of Dental Care. Certification is based on a combination of 1) an exam and 2) education or experience.
Qualified education is education accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Programs accredited by CODA may lead to certificates or associate degrees.
Dental assistants who have not completed CODA-accredited programs are eligible after two years of experience (provided they have accumulated at least 3,500 qualifying hours).
The CDA exam consists of three component exams: Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE), and General Department Care (GC).
A candidate can start the exam process before completing the prerequisites, but must wait to take the GC. Candidate guides can be downloaded from the DANB website.
A person who qualifies based on national certification will be required to pass a state bar exam.
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Best Paying Dental Assistant Jobs In Texas
A dental assistant in Texas must have at least a two-year degree in dental hygiene to learn proper handling and treatment techniques.
Other qualifications that a dental assistant may possess may include customer service, scheduling software experience, and laboratory knowledge depending on the scope of their position in the clinic.
US Veterans Health Administration – Dental Assistant
Christus Health – Dental Assistant-Pedi Dental
UT Health Science Center at San Antonio – Dental Assistant
Kid’s Dentistree – Dental Assistant
Bear Creek Family Dentistry PA – Dental Assistant
Aqua Dental – Registered Dental Assistant
Harris County – Community Health Dental Assistant
Westcliff Dental PA – Dental Assistant
Signature Smiles – Dental Assistant
Orthodent Management LLC – Dental Assistant
Dental Assistant Schools In Texas FAQs
Over the next ten years, the demand for dental graduates will increase by 35.77%. Texas has an extremely high growth rate for this position due to several different things happening in the state. First, many rural and suburban towns are expanding, which means dental offices are opening for people moving from larger cities.
Texas is filled with dental offices that need someone to help dentists provide comfortable services to patients. Currently, the most common place for a dental assistant to work is in a regular dental office. Here you can be expected to greet patients in the office and help them get comfortable in the chair.
Once you start the appointment, you can also perform tasks such as handing the dentists the tools they need to perform the procedure. Government organizations also require dental assistants to help provide services to people visiting certain facilities.
Once you graduate from an accredited program, Texas law requires you to become licensed to work as a dental assistant. The Texas State Board of Dentists administers the licensing of dental assistants in Texas.
The BLS reported the national median salary for a dental assistant at $41,170 in 2019; most earned somewhere between $27,980 and $56,930 a year. Dental offices held 90 percent of them, and assistants were paid an average of $41,200, but some worked in outpatient facilities and physician offices, with respective average salaries of $40,670 and $38,840. Dental assistants in Texas earned an average of $38,630, but the city of Odesa offered a higher median salary of $50,000.
Conclusion
This is a great time to pursue a career as a dental assistant in Texas (TX) given the significant job growth in this sector. There are now nearly 30,000 people working as dental assistants in Texas, and the good news is that the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a further 19% job growth in this sector between 2016 and 2026.
To become a dental assistant, you will need to graduate from an accredited dental assistant school and pass additional state or national certification exams.
References
- nursingprocess.org – Best Dental Assistant Schools in Texas 2024
- healthcarepathway.com – Dental Assistant Requirements in Texas: The paths to become a Dental Assistant in Texas
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