Online Medical & Dental Assistant Programs

The core philosophy of medical and dental assistants is to manage day-to-day business of health and wellness. One of the key components of medical and dental assistants’ jobs involve working closely with patients. It is therefore important that you have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests that, as hospitals and clinics have moved to adopt computer-based electronic health records, demand for well-trained medical assistants with certifications and advanced degrees has been on the rise.

From a certificate program that aims to teaches students the basic skills and knowledge for entry-level jobs to a program at the bachelor’s degree level, students enrolled in an online medical or dental assisting program can get the education they need without setting foot in a classroom. In order to graduate, students may need to participate in an internship or clinical rotation to learn the hands-on skills required in both of these careers. Most of the time, this practical component can be completed at a local hospital or dentist’s office while continuing studies online.

Purdue University Global

  • Experience world-class education online with more than 175 programs at associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
  • Apply eligible work experience and prior college credits toward up to 75% of your undergraduate degree.
  • You have the option of trying out a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period. There’s no cost beyond the application fee.
  • Competency-based ExcelTrack™ programs may allow you to earn your degree faster and for less money

Medical and dental assistants can help provide vital support services for physicians and dentists all over the nation. Here’s what the typical job duties look like.

For medical assistants, work might include:

  • Recording patient medical history and personal information
  • Entering patient information into electronic medical records
  • Measuring vital signs, such as blood pressure and heart rate
  • Assisting as needed with examinations
  • Administering medications or injections (if allowed by state law)
  • Preparing blood and other samples for transport to labs
  • Scheduling, answering phones, and other front office duties

Dental assistants will typically help with the following:

  • Make patients comfortable and prepare them for procedures
  • Sterilize dental instruments
  • Assist chair-side, such as handing different instruments to the dentist
  • Process X-rays or complete other laboratory tasks
  • Provide patient instruction on proper dental hygiene
  • Handle front office duties, such as scheduling or billing
  • Apply sealants, fluoride or topical anesthetic, or polish teeth (if allowed by state law)

Graduates of medical and dental assisting degree programs should be prepared not only to work in their respective fields, but to potentially move into other allied health areas as well. The following table looks at a few of the options for those who want to put their credentials to good use after graduation.

Career
Employment
Median Salary
Projected Job Growth
Occupational Therapy Assistants55,100$60,95032%
Medical Assistants725,200$35,85019%
Dental Assistants354,600$41,18011.2%
Dental Hygienists226,400$77,09010.8%
Dental Laboratory Technicians81,200$38,6209%
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians337,800$54,1807%
Pharmacy Technicians422,300$35,1004%
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics265,200$36,6506%

Source: 2020 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2019-29 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

What can I expect to learn in an online medical and dental assistant certificate program?

A certificate program is one of themore common options for students of medical and dental assistance offered by community colleges, technical and vocational schools.

Typical duration: One year

Typical coursework: 

Online medical assistant programs can focus on:

  • Basics of medical care, including introductions to anatomy and medical terminology
  • Privacy and other laws relating to healthcare
  • Insurance and front office procedures
  • How to take vital signs, perform CPR, handle minor medical duties
  • Depending upon the state, how to prepare injections and medications

Online dental assistant programs can focus on:

  • Dental hygiene
  • Nutrition
  • Oral anatomy and terminology
  • Basics of dental procedures
  • Dental pain management
  • Oral pathology and radiology
  • Orthodontics
  • Surgery
  • Front office procedures and more

Programs are designed to prepare students to move into work in a dental office and to hone their skills through careful observation while assisting dentists at work.

What can I do after earning medical and dental assistant certificate?

Those who earn the certificate in dental assisting can join private practices, work in hospitals and specialty centers, or choose to take their education further by enrolling in dental hygienist schools.

Medical assistants can opt for work in the offices of physicians, hospitals and outpatient care clinics, chiropractor offices and more. Some work in the front office or back office exclusively, while others may need to move seamlessly from one area to another.

What can I expect to learn in an online associate medical and dental assisting degree program?

Like the certificate program, the dental or medical assistant degree online path includes some hands-on work. In many cases, some schools present their programming as “hybrid,” meaning they combine online learning with on-campus clinical programming.

Typical duration: Two years

Typical coursework: 

The medical assistant degree online program can consist of more focused courses, such as those in medical coding, insurance reimbursement, understanding electronic medical records, psychology and pharmacology.

Dental assistant two-year degree programs go more in-depth with dental procedures, pain relief, materials used, and front office requirements like insurance, billing and customer service.

What can I do after earning an associate degree in medical and dental assisting ?

Positions available to dental and medical assistants with an associate degree are similar to those available with a certificate; however, there are some important advantages for associate degree holders. In addition to potentially higher pay, many employers are more comfortable hiring someone who has spent two years studying their profession, rather than one. The associate degree can also serve as a valuable stepping stone to the bachelor’s degree program if a student chooses to take their education even further.

What can I expect to learn in an online bachelor’s in medical and dental assisting program?

Since many students come into online dental or medical assistant programs with an associate degree, additional hands-on experience may not be necessary. However, some bachelor’s programs do require further supervised experience in dental hygiene in order to graduate. Before enrolling, it’s important to make sure of what the on-campus requirements might be.

Typical duration: Four years to complete; however, many students enter with an associate degree, and so may only spend two years in the bachelor’s program.

Typical coursework: 

The bachelor’s program takes students more in-depth with dental courses such as anatomy or pharmacology. They can also help to provide a well-rounded liberal arts education.

Students in medical assisting programs might take mathematics, psychology, management and the like. Many programs require students to choose a concentration, such as health management, education or research.

What can I do after earning a bachelor’s degree in medical and dental assisting?

The bachelor’s degree earned through dental or medical assistant schools online can prepare students to move into sales, research and education. Options for employment may broaden to include pharmaceutical companies, community colleges, vocational or technical schools, government health agencies, schools, local health departments and more.

Both medical and dental assisting degree programs are designed to help prepare students to take licensing exams as required by their state. After graduating, many students choose to become certified in their field in order to potentially increase their job prospects and promote their chances at earning a higher pay.

What accreditation should a medical assistant school have?

Accreditation means the school or program has been evaluated closely by an independent body and found to meet the rigorous standards of a high-quality education. There are benefits to graduating from an accredited medical or dental assisting program such as:

  • Being able to transfer your credits should you seek advanced education
  • Potentially improved employment prospects because many employers prefer hiring graduates from an accredited school or program
  • Having an opportunity to sit for a licensure exam, if your state requires it

For medical assisting programs, accreditation is granted by either of these two bodies:

For dental assisting programs, look for accreditation that comes from the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

For medical assistants

While certification or licensing in medical assisting may not be required, students can show employers they are highly qualified professionals by obtaining certification. In some cases, employers seek certified medical assistants.

Eligible students can apply for certification from:

Specialty certifications can be obtained from licensing bodies like the American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants.

For dental assistants

Many states require dental assistants to be certified, licensed or registered. Certification can be obtained by the nationally recognized Dental Assisting National Board, Inc (DANB). Certified dental assistants generally earn more than non-certified dental assistants. Prospective employers may prefer certified dental assistants because of a higher confidence in the candidate’s competencies.

Employment opportunities for medical and dental assistants

Medical Assistants

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Offices of Physicians
  • Offices of Other Health Practitioners
  • Outpatient Care Centers
  • General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
  • Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly
States with the highest employment level
  • California
  • Texas
  • Florida
  • Pennsylvania
  • Ohio
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
  • Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
 

Dental Assistants

Industries with the highest concentration of employment
  • Offices of Dentists
  • Outpatient Care Centers
  • Offices of Physicians
  • Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
  • Employment Services
States with the highest employment level
  • California
  • Texas
  • Florida
  • New York
  • Illinois
Top-paying metropolitan areas
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI
  • Vallejo-Fairfield, CA
  • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
  • Bismarck, ND
 

Source: 2020 Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov.

  • Dental Assistants, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 13, 2018, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm#tab-4
  • Dental Hygiene (BS), University of Pittsburgh, Accessed May 14, 2018, http://www.cgs.pitt.edu/academics/majors/dental-hygiene-bs
  • Medical Assistant Associate Degree, Penn Foster College, Accessed May 14, 2018, https://www.pennfoster.edu/programs-and-degrees/medical-and-health-careers/medical-assistant-associate-degree
  • Medical Assistants, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 16, 2018, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm#tab-4
  • Online Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences: Medical Assisting (MA), Northern Arizona University, Accessed May 14, 2018, https://nau.edu/chhs/health-sciences/degree-programs/medical-assisting/
  • Online Dental Assistant School, U.S. Career Institute, Accessed May 11, 2018, https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/certificates/health-care-programs/dental-assistant
  • Online Medical Assistant School, U.S. Career Institute, Accessed May 11, 2018, https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu/certificates/health-care-programs/medical-assistant
 
Related Resources & Tools

 

 
Online Massage Therapy Degree Program

With an online massage therapy degree program you can help others recover from muscle strain and injury. Learn more about massage therapy education.

 

Online Medical Laboratory Technician & Medical Technology Degrees

A degree in medical technology can open the door to a number of careers in medical research and laboratory science. Learn about coursework, career outlook and more.

 

 

Methodologies and Sources