I am taking Penn Foster online course for Dental Assistant has anyone taking Penn Foster courses?

I am currently working for a dental office and I am interested in becoming a dental assistant but because I have 5 children and a busy life I choose Penn Foster because it allows me to study at my own paste. I am just concerned that it will not be recognized as a accredited program and future employers may not accept it. Please help.

I am taking Penn Foster online course for Dental Assistant has anyone taking Penn Foster courses?
Well bless you for raising 5 kids! I actually, however, wouldn't take any course from an 'online school' such as penn foster or stratford career institute as most employers don't view them as reputable in addition to dental assistants needing a certain amount of clinical, hands-on experience since there is so much manual dexterity (fine motor/hand coordination) and short-term memory skills involved (sometimes the dentist will give oral instructions).





Here is the website for the American Dental Association to try to find accredited programs in your area: www.ada.org and can click 'oral health' then 'careers in dentistry' and then 'dental team careers'. Perhaps you can find a program thru the local community college or county vo-tech school. Wishing you the best of luck!





P.S. I'm not so sure that penn foster is accredited with the american dental association, however, and that may be key in having credibility or marketability as a dental assistant. Perhaps you can ask the dentist that you work for along with contacting other dental offices, and find out if they recognize the program as having a reliable curriculum.
Reply:Thank you all for you great answers I wanted to give everyone a rating but the system only allowed me to comment on one answer, if you are taking the Dental Assistant Course through Penn Foster let me know it would be great to have a study buddy online. Good Luck. Report It

Reply:Well I am taking the Pharmacy Technician course at PennFoster as well. I'm going really well and I'm enjoying it. I don't think it's that easy like people say or think. I'm pretty sure that after you graduate you will have to take the Boards test to be licensed. Generally employers will be happy that you passed the Board, that proves that you learned something, right? Also many employers are kind enough to train and help you once you are starting. I wish you all the success and please don't give up on your course! If you are able to manage your personal life taking this course, by all means finish it!
Reply:I was asking the same question as you till I did some research.....Penn Foster is a accreditied school, and is listed on the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs, heres the webpage


( http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Inst... ) Ive already looked it up. Its also accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools.





Oh and once you pass Penn fosters exam, you work in a dentist office getting your hands on experience, then you can take the real certification test for your state.





Im going to enroll in dental assistant classes tomorrow.

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