After becoming a dental assistant you may be interested in looking for ways to take your dental assistant training further and advance your career. Dentistry is a complex field and there are many specialties recognized by the ADA. After you become a dental assistant, you will have the flexibility to choose where you want to go with your career and can explore the specialty roles in dental assisting.Young female dental assistant works on male patients teeth while doctor is preparing other tools

Public Health

When you work as a dental assistant in public health, you will be less focused on individual patient care and more on community education. As a dental assistant, you will work with the dental team to prevent and control dental diseases in a community.

Endodontics

Endodontists are most often thought of in terms of root canals. Endodontics looks at biology, physiology, pathology, and the regeneration of human dental pulp and surrounding tissue. Many endodontics rely on dental assistants for the procedures and treatments they provide.

Pathology

If, when becoming a dental assistant, you were fascinated with the lab work and research-based study, oral pathology could be a good specialty for you to explore. You will help collect and study samples that help with the identification and management of oral and maxillofacial regions.

Radiology

If you are interested in an X-ray and research-based career, oral and maxillofacial radiology is a good choice for you. As a dental assistant in radiology, you will help produce and develop the images that the dentists will use to diagnose conditions and determine treatment.

Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery can be one of the more challenging and interesting specialties for dental assistants. Oral surgeons perform a variety of surgical procedures and tooth extractions and look to dental assistants as a key part of their team for patient care.

Orthodontics

There is always a need for dental assistants in orthodontics. This field is already large and will continue to grow. Orthodontists correct developing structures and their work is both cosmetic and medically necessary. Orthodontic offices are busy places with large patient loads and they heavily rely on dental assistants to work with patients regularly.

Pediatrics

If you enjoy being around kids, pediatric dentistry is an excellent specialty to choose as a dental assistant. Pediatric dentists work with children as young as infants, including those with special needs. Although much of the work a pediatric dentist does is focused on primary care, there will be elements of different specialties incorporated as well. Dental assistants will not only assist the dentist, but will focus on making the experience a positive one for their young patients.

Periodontics

Periodontists work primarily with the patients’ gums and supporting tissue. They focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of gum diseases and their effect on the teeth. Periodontists work with other specialists to support the health, function, and aesthetics of the teeth and gums, and they rely on a team of dental assistants to help with these treatment plans.

Prosthodontics

Prosthodontics focuses on the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth with artificial devices, such as implants, crowns, bridges, and dentures. When working in prosthodontics, you will assist with the treatment, rehabilitation, and maintenance of these devices. Prosthodontics is a specialty that relies heavily on dental assistants to work alongside the dentist.

Become a Dental Assistant with Comprehensive Dental Assistant Training

To begin your career as a dental assistant, you need the right training that will allow you to progress and advance. Finding a dental assistant training program that will allow you to explore the various dental specialties will open many doors for you in the future.

When you become a dental assistant, you are beginning a career with ample opportunity for growth and advancement. Many specialties have their own advantages and challenges for you to explore once you are ready to begin work as a dental assistant. To learn more about our comprehensive dental assistant training program, contact South Florida Dental Assisting School to talk with someone on our admission team.