If that description sounds like it was lifted right off the page of your resume, you might be ready to launch a course of study at  

dental assisting schools

Beyond Flossing
They're more than the people you see sitting next to dentists -- dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties.

These trained professionals work chairside as dentists examine and treat patients, and some take dental X-rays, remove sutures, and apply topical anesthetics. Dental assisting laboratory duties include making casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, cleaning and polishing removable appliances, and making temporary crowns. Office duties include scheduling appointments, receiving payments, and ordering dental supplies.

No Cavities Here
The key to creating a dynamic career in dental assisting? Get trained at dental assisting schools. The Commission on Dental Accreditation within the American Dental Association (ADA) has approved more than 265 dental assisting programs, most of which take two years or less to complete and lead to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. Programs include classroom, laboratory, and preclinical instruction, and students gain invaluable practical experience in dental schools, clinics, or dental offices.

After graduating from ADA-accredited dental assisting programs, students may qualify to take the Certified Dental Assistant exam available through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). This certification is recognized or required in more than 30 states.

Show Those Pearly Whites
Dental assistants held about 267,000 jobs in 2004, and job prospects should continue to be excellent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As dentists' workloads increase, they are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks. In fact, dental assisting is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through 2014.

Median hourly earnings of dental assistants were $13.62 in May 2004, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $19.97 an hour. And here's a major money-saving perk: According to the American Dental Association (ADA), nine out of 10 full- and part-time dental assistants receive dental coverage.

Now that's something to smile about.

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