Across the country, employment opportunities for dental assistants are expected to swell substantially over the next decade. As one of the healthcare industry‘s most versatile and rewarding careers, dental assisting offers competitive salaries, close working relationships with patients, and potential for advancement—all without the extensive schooling required of dentists or hygienists.
And the prospects for building an exciting career look especially bright in the Columbia metropolitan area. Thanks to rising demand for preventative dental care services and a wave of retiring assistants, local job growth for dental assistants is on track to reach 12.4% through 2030 according to projections by the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.
To equip people entering this fast-growing field with the skills to excel, Columbia offers a wealth of top-notch dental assisting programs. Read on for an overview of these in-demand professionals‘ duties, a snapshot of major schools in the Columbia area, perspectives from experts in the field, and more.
What Do Dental Assistants Do?
Dental assistants perform a wide range of clinical, administrative, and laboratory duties essential for delivering patient care. As members of the dental healthcare team, they work closely under the supervision of licensed dentists, usually specializing in either general or specialized dentistry.
Common responsibilities include:
- Preparing treatment rooms and equipment for patient visits
- Assisting dentists during examinations and procedures
- Taking and developing dental x-rays
- Making patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatments
- Providing patients with instructions for oral health care at home
- Maintaining patient treatment records
- Ordering supplies and managing inventories
In addition to basic supportive capacities, dental assistants with advanced certifications can carry out reversible procedures like coronal polishing and applying dental sealants.
While exact duties vary by work setting, most dental assistants need some postsecondary education from a training program lasting 9 to 24 months. All states also require licensure, involving passing written and practical exams.
Why Train in Columbia?
Along with excellent job prospects locally, Columbia offers a wide selection of training programs to choose from. From respected technical colleges to dental school offshoots to private career schools, options exist whether you prefer a full degree or accelerated certificate.
By providing hands-on practice in realistic settings, these conveniently located schools thoroughly prepare students to:
- Achieve state licensure and optional Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) certification
- Confidently step into in-demand roles across Columbia and beyond
- Qualify for increased responsibilities and pay over time
To give a sampling, here are overviews of three top-ranked dental assistant programs in the city.
Trident Technical College
Trident Tech‘s dental assisting diploma program provides comprehensive training in just 36 weeks. After mastering theory and lab skills through classes and over 300 hours of clinical experience on campus, students apply their knowledge during a supervised externship. With dedicated career services supporting their job searches, around 7 in 10 Trident graduates find work shortly after completion.
Format: Full-time diploma
Program Length: 9 months
Cost: $7,000 in-state; $14,210 out-of-state
Admissions: Open enrollment; HS diploma or GED required
Midlands Technical College
Through Midlands Tech‘s American Dental Association (ADA)-accredited program, students gain real-world experience assisting licensed dentists and treating patients at an on-site clinic. Along with preparing for national certifications, Elective Expanded Duties training qualifies graduates to perform procedures like placing temporary fillings in South Carolina.
Format: Full-time diploma
Program Length: 12 months
Cost: $5,547 in-state; $10,869 out-of-state
Admissions: Application and admissions test required
Diversified Medical & Dental Academy
This dedicated dental career school offers a fast-track to certification through full-time classes over just 6 months. Small classes of under 15 students ensure abundant hands-on practice in modern labs using the same equipment as real dental offices. Externships placed at clinics across the Columbia area further reinforce skills.
Format: Full-time certificate
Program Length: 6 months
Cost: $13,999
Admissions: HS diploma or GED required; no entrance exam
"Our students get intensive exposure to all facets of working in oral healthcare settings," says Alicia Lee, Program Director at Diversified Medical & Dental Academy. "From front office, to lab procedures, to clinical environments, we make sure they know what this career is all about."
Insights from the Industry
To glean advice for prospective students, I spoke with educators and professionals across Columbia‘s dental scene. Some words of wisdom they shared:
"Soft skills like people management and oral communications are so important in this field," says Dr. Olivia Chen, dentist at Irmo Smiles Dentistry. "Technical capabilities are crucial too, but being able to connect with patients and put them at ease goes a tremendously long way."
"Move confidently into advanced certifications like coronal polishing or sealants when possible,” advises Joelle McDonald, Expanded Functions Dental Assistant at Palmetto Smiles. “These really expand your scope of practice and qualifying for them early on sets you up for more responsibilities—and often higher pay—once hired."
"Get comfortable in digital dentistry environments,” stresses Dr. Jacob Lewis, dentist and founder of Lewis Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. “Computer proficiency is huge nowadays. Being adept charting records, taking digital impressions for models, using CAD/CAM tech for crowns—these capabilities are becoming baseline expectations for assistants."
No matter where students choose to train, intentionally building real-world know-how promises to pay dividends in Colombia‘s promising dental job market.
What‘s Next After Graduation?
Once ready to enter the field with freshly printed diplomas in hand, Columbia dental assistants find myriad options to launch their careers. Graduates are enthusiastically hired by:
- General and specialized private dental practices
- Community health clinics
- Hospitals and urgent care centers with dental facilities
- School districts
- Government institutions like prisons and military bases
- Mobile dental clinics bringing preventative care directly to underserved communities
They may also continue into bachelor‘s programs and eventually dentistry or dental hygiene schools to advance towards higher-level oral health occupations.
While most remain in supportive assistant roles long-term, some choose to expand their capabilities over time. With the proper certifications and experience, promotion possibilities include leading a team of assistants as office manager or transitioning into lab work creating dental appliances and custom crowns.
Regardless of specific work settings dental assistants pursue, their services promise to be highly valued. Fueled by growing public awareness of how oral health affects overall wellness, demand for preventative dental care is surging. Add substantial retirement rates among current assistants, and Columbia job prospects look starkly promising.
By gaining the proper training and certifications now, this represents an ideal time to get started in this stable, meaningful career filled with abundant opportunities to learn and expand one‘s role over time.