Dental Assistant Career
18 February

What to Expect From a Dental Assistant Career (Part 1)

Working in the field of dental health can be highly rewarding, both personally and financially. There are other career paths; however, that can be followed to fulfill career goals, such as Dental Hygienist, Technician, and Assistant. It’s essential to understand how each of these rewarding careers is unique so that you can choose the educational and career path that works best for you.

The dental hygienist is the highest-paid career of the three, with upwards of $70,000 annually. Hygienists must have a minimum of an associate’s degree from an accredited dental school. The hygienist is required to have technical skills required to perform x-rays and to use oral cleaning tools that enable them to perform dental cleanings. They must fully understand oral physiology and have extensive knowledge of oral health. read more

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Dental Assistants
04 February

Alberta’s Outlook for Dental Assistants in The Next Three Years

The job market for a dental assistant in Alberta, Canada, is expected to stay fair through 2021. For job seekers, this means the number of people looking for a dental assistant position is more or less equal to the demand. Finding a position in this field is highly likely, even for new graduates. One of the greatest aspects of becoming a Dental Assistant in Alberta is compensation, which is greater compared to the national average. The average hourly pay rate for dental assistants in Alberta is $25.62, a dollar amount approximately 18% above the national average in Canada. read more

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Successful Career Change
11 November

8 Important Tips to Keep in Mind For a Successful Career Change: Part 2

Changing careers can leave some professionals anxious as there is a lot to consider before executing the change, which is the fear of the unknown. However, having a better understanding of your next steps and making a clear path to changing your career will help create a sense of reassurance and confidence.

Whether you are just starting a career in health care, such as becoming a practical nurse or health care aide worker, understanding the training involved, the timeline required, and the role and responsibilities will ease your transition. Preparation, however, will be essential, so let’s continue with the remainder of the eight tips needed for a better career transition. If you missed the first four tips, click here to read part one. read more

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Successful Career Change
05 November

8 Important Tips to Keep in Mind For a Successful Career Change: Part 1

Making a career change can be a challenge, and this is especially true when you start getting older or when you’ve been at your current job for a long time. A few reasons why people in the job force may be looking to change their career include financial reasons, a better work-life balance, or they are looking for a high in-demand job in Canada for more opportunities in the future.Give yourself the upper hand and make your career search easier with these 4 tips:1) Know Your Skills: Make a list of your talents, interests, and the things you like to do even if they do not make you money at this time. Then for each activity or hobby that you listed, write out the skills that are necessary or involved to do them. For example, bird-watching requires patience and research.2) Include Training and Experience: Things such as volunteering, classes and training seminars, and years of self-taught expertise count as training and experience. List everything you did, along with the skills you learned.3) Start Thinking About Career Fields: What occupations do you think would require your talents or benefit from the skills and experiences that you bring to the table? Search for jobs based on keywords of specific job skills, career skills, skills assessment, and general interests that you have. This can give you an idea of the jobs available for your skills.4) Create Your Career Short-List: Narrow down the list of career fields you think you would like and be good at, keep the list short (5 maximum). Keep adjusting and tweaking your list until you feel confident that everything on the list is careers you would enjoy and also be good at doing. Then work to get it down to one job and focus your attention there.At Columbia College, our dedicated Admissions staff can help with information for individuals looking to switch careers, they also help professionals get into their new career within a short time. To find out more information about a particular program offered, or to ask general questions, click here.In our next blog, we will outline the remainder of tips to keep in mind when easing into a new career.
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Careers in Canada
16 September

How Often Do People Change Careers in Canada?

A common concern among people in their late 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s is whether they should go back to school. They may be unhappy with their current career, or they want to improve their prospects for new positions.

Today, switching jobs is relatively common throughout Canada. It’s not uncommon to be a little hesitant when considering changing careers, especially if you’re looking to choose a job you have not had prior experience in.  However, the sense of fulfillment and opportunities can be a great motivator. read more

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Dental Assistants
16 September

Understanding the Career Pathway for Dental Assistants

Dental assisting is a career that is continually growing, and one that offers a significant amount of career opportunity. Dental assisting is not the same as a dental hygienist though both do work to help the dentist and the responsibilities of these two careers may overlap.

A dental assistant works to help the dentist to prepare for their patients. They may help to get rooms cleaned up or to restock items that the hygienist or dentist may need to care for the patients. Assistants often serve as the lifeline of the office by keeping the office organized and working with patients on administrative duties. read more

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Dental Assistant is a Great Career Choice
14 May

5 Reasons Why Becoming a Dental Assistant is a Great Career Choice

The dental industry is a great career choice that offers security, good pay, and a rewarding feeling of helping others. If you do not want to spend many years in medical school, a shorter route would be to work in the industry by becoming a dental assistant.

In Calgary and across Canada, there is a high demand for dental assistants as there is a constant need for this service. Dental assistants perform several essential tasks ranging from taking x-rays, record keeping to providing patient care, and serve a crucial role within the dental office. If you are looking for a career in dental health, then the Dental Assistant Professional Diploma may be the right path for you. read more

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