There are differences between ODAs and dental assistants, so it is important to know them if you're looking into getting into the general dentistry field.
Tasks
If you will be employed at a general dentistry, dental assistants will have similar duties like an ODA. They both offer services that help keep patient's mouths, teeth and gums healthy. As a general dentist, professionals assist patients with developing an plan for their overall mouth, teeth and gum health. ODAs don't do this. They actually work with orthodontists with fixing the teeth and gums of patients.
Training
If you're looking to get into dental assisting, you will have to go through four years of formal education at an undergraduate school. Then you will have to complete another four years of schooling at an accredited dentistry school. After you complete that, you will have obtained a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) or DDM (Doctor of Dental Medicine). Your next step would be to become board certified. It usually takes less than a year to complete a dentistry program for ODAs. They are not required to obtain a license, but some do anyway.
Field Experience
In the general dentistry field, you aren't required to have any working experience to obtain a position. All that's needed is your schooling. ODAs, on the other hand, have to obtain lots of training after graduation. After dentists graduate, they have the decision of working in a general area or specialized area of dentistry. General dentists go directly into the field. ODAs go through on the job training, working alongside a dental assistant that shows the ODA the ropes.
