Certification is an acknowledgment of an assistant's qualifications and professional competence, and may be an asset when seeking employment. In several States that have adopted standards for dental assistants who perform radiological procedures, completion of the certification examination meets those standards. Candidates may qualify to take the certification examination by graduating from an accredited training program, or by having 2 years of full-time experience as a dental assistant. In addition, applicants must have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Without further education, advancement opportunities are limited.
Some dental assistants working the front office become office managers.
Others, working chair-side, go back to school to become dental hygienists. Related Occupations Workers in other occupations supporting health practitioners include medical assistants, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapy assistants, pharmacy technicians and assistants, and veterinary assistants.