Woman sitting on couch researching dental programs on laptop

5 Surprising Advantages of Online Dental Assistant Programs

Carey-Ann Thurlow

July 28, 2023

Summary:

  • Online dental assistant programs offer flexibility and convenience, often allowing you to learn at times that suit you (even if you have other professional or personal commitments).
  • These programs are relatively cost-effective, reducing or eliminating many additional expenses associated with traditional in-person education—such as commuting and housing. 
  • Online programs respect each student’s unique learning pace, allowing you to adapt your study speed to your individual capabilities. This can help you understand the material better and develop key skills more effectively.
  • These programs provide a wide range of resources, including learning materials and job finding tools that can give you an important edge when taking the next step in your career.
  • Online dental assistant programs allow you to learn in an environment of your choice, which can lead to better concentration, higher productivity, and improved learning outcomes. Learn more about the program we offer at Risio by contacting us and speaking with a member of our experienced professional team.

Online learning has emerged as a powerful tool for modern education, breaking down barriers by vastly improving accessibility and convenience. Even students in career-oriented hands-on fields like dental assisting can benefit hugely from embracing this model.

We’ve watched countless students thrive in online learning and go on to achieve incredible careers in some of the country’s best practices. Below, we explore five surprising benefits of online dental assistant programs like Risio’s Dental Assistant Distance Delivery Diploma so that you can see what this model offers for yourself.

Woman sitting in morning sunlight and completing module on laptop before normal school hours

Advantage 1: Flexibility & Convenience

In today’s fast-paced world, many students are juggling professional commitments and personal responsibilities alongside their studies. Traditional, in-person education often requires a rigid schedule that can be challenging to maintain for those with other commitments.

Online programs like ours are designed with this modern lifestyle in mind. We offer flexible online modules that students can access at any time, allowing them to learn at times that suit them best.

This flexibility is not just about convenience; it’s about enabling a healthy work-life-study balance. It allows students to continue working, maintain family commitments, and even enjoy leisure activities while pursuing their education.

And the flexibility of online learning applies to location as well as time! Whether you’re at home, on a break at work, or even traveling, you can log in to your course and continue learning. This can be a game-changer if you live in a remote area or travel frequently.

Woman sitting with laptop near pile of coins under large magnifying glass to symbolize cost savings from online learning

Advantage 2: Cost Effectiveness

The financial aspect of education is a critical consideration for many students. Traditional in-person education often comes with a host of additional costs that can add up quickly. These normally include commuting costs, housing expenses if the school is far from home, and even day-to-day costs like meals on campus.

Online learning, on the other hand, eliminates many of these additional expenses. By studying online, you can learn from the comfort of your home, saving on commuting and housing costs. 

We go one step further at Risio by adding a work-integrated learning component to our program. This innovative approach allows you to earn while you learn by working in a related environment during your studies. It’s a practical solution that helps you avoid financial anxiety while gaining essential real-world experience.

Woman in scrubs learning online at laptop at night

Advantage 3: Self-Paced Learning

Every student has a unique learning pace, and online dental assistant programs respect that. Traditional classroom settings often follow a set pace for the entire class, which can be too fast for some students and too slow for others. This one-size-fits-all approach can hinder the learning process for many.

Online programs, on the other hand, allow students to adapt their study speed to their individual capabilities (as long as they’re meeting certain deadlines to maintain the structure of the program). But when you need extra time on a challenging module or want to move quickly through a topic you’re comfortable with, distance programs offer more flexibility to control the pace of your learning than many brick-and-mortar schools. This helps ensure that you fully understand the course material and are not left behind.

Dental assistant in training working in practice while earning diploma

Advantage 4: A Wide Range of Resources

Online dental assistant programs often provide a variety of learning materials and job finding tools. These resources can greatly enhance the learning experience while providing students with connections and opportunities that lead to more successful careers.

Our program at Risio provides a wealth of educational resources and a dedicated job board to help you find work during and after your studies. We also work with dynamic practices around Canada to connect students with meaningful professional openings. Empowering students to find work or volunteer placements in dental offices ensures that all of our graduates enter the real world with ample professional experience, giving them a competitive edge.

Young dental assistant in training learning on laptop from home

Advantage 5: A Comfortable Learning Environment

The learning environment can significantly impact a student’s ability to focus and absorb information. Traditional classroom settings may not be the ideal learning environment for everyone. Some students may find them too crowded or too noisy, while others may have a long and tiring commute that hinders their engagement with their studies.

Online dental assistant programs allow you to learn in the environment that’s most comfortable and convenient for you. Whether it’s a quiet corner of your home or a local library, you get to choose the best place for you to focus. This flexibility often leads to better concentration, higher productivity, and improved learning outcomes.

This advantage is also particularly important if you live in a rural or remote area—since it lets you gain a quality education without the need to commute or relocate.

Choosing a Program that Supports Your Career Goals

Online dental assistant programs offer numerous advantages over traditional in-person programs—including flexibility, cost-effectiveness, self-paced learning, access to useful resources, and the comfort of learning from home. These benefits make distance learning programs an attractive option for new and aspiring dental assistants. Our program at Risio is designed to take full advantage of these perks, providing a comprehensive, flexible, and accessible education in dental assisting. Contact us to explore our program in more detail and learn about our next intake.

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