Dental Assistant Program Acceptance

Dental Assistant is one of the fastest growing professions. It is anticipated to be

one of the top occupations by 2012. Almost all Dental Assistant programs require
applicants to successfully pass a background check prior to acceptance. In
addition, drug testing is becoming a widely common practice as well. Most states
require students to be tested for Hepatitis B prior to acceptance as well.

Many programs want to look at your work history, education level, and GPA. All of
these factors combined will determine if you are accepted into a Dental Assistant
Program. You will get a letter informing you of the decision. If you are not
accepted into the Dental Assistant Program, you have the right to inquire as to the
information that decision was based on.

The reason for background checks for Dental Assistants is because of the number of
people they come into contact with. Since they serve the public, their background
becomes an area of concern. Safety is a top priority in the dental field.
Precautions are taken protect patients as well as other staff.

The background process is very similar in all states. You will be required to
provide your personal information and fingerprints. All information that comes back
will be reported to the program director. Each state has different levels of
acceptable background checks for the Dental Assistant Program.

If you believe your background might prevent you from being accepted into a Dental
Assistant Program, ask the instructor or the State Dental Board what the
regulations are for your particular state. In some states, they will only look at
background information that is less than seven years old. Others will only ban you
from the Dental Assistant program if you have been convicted of a crime that
involved violence or was of a sexual nature. Other states are very strict. If you
have any felony convicts at all, you will not be accepted to the Dental Assistant
program. They also will look at misdemeanors including harassment and domestic
violence.

Background checks are an ongoing issue with Dental Assistants. You can complete the
training program and your license. Your license will be valid for three to five
years depending on the state you live in. Upon renewal, another background check
will be completed. You can lose your license and your career if you have had any
criminal activity during your licensing period. Again, it depends on the
regulations for your state.
Since state regulations vary, keep that in mind when considering transferring your
Dental Assistant license to another state.

Drug testing regulations have come into play to provide safety for patients and
other staff. Drug convictions will generally result in you not being admitted to
the Dental Assistant program. It is believed the drugs will impair your ability to
perform your job duties in the manner they must be done in. Also, since drugs are
available on site of dental facilities, it is possible you will take them.

Hepatitis B is a concern in the dental profession. All individuals wanting to

enroll in the Dental Assistant program will be required to be tested. They test
requires a quick skin prick on the top of your hand. The results are generally
available within a couple of days.

Depending on the Dental Assistant program you are trying to get into, they will
require a background check, drug test, and Hepatitis B test. If there is a large
demand to enroll in the course your work history, education, and GPA may also be
taken into consideration if more people what to enroll than there are slots
available.
Being a Dental Assistant is an opportunity to provide assistance to people as well
as participate in the practices of the dental field. It also requires accepting
responsibly for your actions. Dental Assistants have to be very responsible. It is
believed you decisions in your personal life often reflect the choices you will
make in your personal life.

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