How Dental Assistants Can Advocate for Employer-Sponsored CE
Continuing education (CE) is essential for dental assistants to stay current with industry advancements, improve their skills, and enhance patient care. However, the cost of CE courses can be a barrier. To overcome this, dental assistants can present a compelling case to their employer for financial support. Here are key strategies to help make a strong argument.
1. Emphasize the Return on Investment (ROI)
Employers want to see how their investment benefits the practice. Explain how additional training will improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance the overall patient experience. When a dental assistant is well-trained, the entire team benefits from smoother workflows and better patient retention.
2. Highlight Compliance and Risk Reduction
Regulations in the dental industry frequently change, and keeping up with them is crucial for avoiding legal and compliance issues. Demonstrating that CE courses cover infection control, HIPAA regulations, and safety protocols can help convince the employer that funding education is a proactive approach to reducing liability risks.
3. Showcase Productivity Improvements
CE courses can enhance a dental assistant’s ability to perform expanded functions, allowing the dentist to focus more on complex procedures. This can increase the number of patients seen per day, reduce chair time, and improve overall efficiency in the practice.
4. Compare Costs vs. Benefits
Provide a breakdown of the costs associated with CE courses and compare them to the potential financial benefits. For example, improving proficiency in radiography or impression-taking can decrease the need for retakes and material waste, saving the practice money in the long run.
5. Offer Flexible Learning Options
Many CE courses are available online or in hybrid formats, allowing assistants to learn without disrupting daily operations. Saturday courses, such as those presented by the annual Southwest Dental Conference in Dallas also provide flexible learning solutions that can be presented to ease concerns about time away from work.
6. Reference Industry Standards
Cite recommendations from professional organizations such as the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) or the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA), which advocate for continuous learning to maintain high industry standards.
7. Propose a Trial Investment
If your employer is hesitant, suggest starting with one course to evaluate its impact on the practice. After demonstrating measurable improvements, it may be easier to secure future funding for additional education.
Before strategically presenting these discussion points, have a course or two in mind that you are interested in attending. Mention during your discussion that dental assistants in Texas are required to complete six hours of continuing education each year in areas covering dental assistant duties, with at least three of these six hours being clinical continuing education. Using these strategies, you can increase your chances of having your employer fund your continuing education, benefiting both your career and the dental practice as a whole.
Dental Assistants in Dallas, Texas: Note that the Southwest Dental Conference takes place August 22-23, 2025 at the Hilton Anatole Dallas, with 48 courses (119 hours) appropriate for dental assistants. These courses are all CERP-approved, meeting the requirements of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. More information is available in the registration brochure found at www.swdentalconf.org.