MyCAA Dental Assistant Program for Military Spouses
Overview of MyCAA Dental Assistant Programs
Are you the spouse of an active-duty United States military member? Do you want to pursue dental assistant training to help you find employment wherever you are located?
Explore the government funding available to military spouses for online education and training through MyCAA dental assistant programs.
Offered through the United States Department of Defense, the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship program is available to the husband or wife of active-duty military members to obtain certifications, licenses, or associate degrees in fields such as healthcare, legal, and dentistry. This is a great opportunity to continue your education if you are eligible. The program provides funding for education up to $4,000 per individual for spouses who meet the eligibility requirements. There is a $2,000 cap per year.
In order to qualify, you must be married to a service member on active duty, a National Guard service member, or a reserve service member. Their earnings must fall within one of the selected pay grades (E-1 through E-9, W-1 through W-3, and O-1 through O-3). Also, the request for tuition assistance has to be made while your spouse is on Title 10 military orders. To be eligible for funding, you must have graduated high school or earned your GED.
In addition, remember that the G.I. Bill® also provides funding for education when service members transfer unused education benefits to immediate family members (spouse or children).
MyCAA dental assistant programs exist for eligible military spouses to learn the skills needed to become a dental assistant. Several online institutions offer MyCAA-approved dental assistant programs that prepare you for dental assistant certifications.
Dental assistant careers are in demand. The Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that this job area is expected to grow six percent between 2024-2034. The 2024 median salary for dental assistants was $43,700 annually. The salary varies depending on location and job setting.
Blackstone Career Institute’s Dental Office Assistant Program
Blackstone Career Institute (BCI), accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission and the Middle States Association, offers a flexible, online MyCAA-approved Dental Office Assistant Program to help individuals train to become dental office assistants.
This MyCAA dental assistant program prepares students for the administrative aspects of running a dental office practice and supporting dentists. Coursework includes topics on scheduling appointments, filing dental insurance claims, organizing patient files, ordering and maintaining supplies, and charting the dental cavity.
The program comprises coursework that addresses these areas as well as professional development, dental terminology, medicolegal ethics, and HIPAA and OSHA guidelines. The average completion time for the program is four to 12 months.
BCI’s MyCAA dental assistant program is designed to prepare graduates to sit for the NELDA certification exam provided through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). This is an entry-level certification. Getting certified boosts your credibility, highlights your skills, and shows your dedication as a healthcare professional. To qualify for the certification exam, you also need to obtain a CPR, BLS, or ACLS certificate from a DANB-approved provider, and the course must include CPR practice and a hands-on skills exam.
MyCAA Application Process at Blackstone Career Institute
General information about the MyCAA Scholarship program can be found on the U.S. Department of Defense website. As the spouse of an active-duty service member, National Guard member, or reservist, you will need to create a personal profile and complete the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) check as part of the process for MyCAA funding and to verify your eligibility.
To apply for the MyCAA dental assistant program at BCI, there are four steps:
- Verify that you are eligible for the MyCAA Scholarship funding by setting up a profile on the MyCAA website.
- Enroll online and select MyCAA as your payment option. Your education plan document will be sent to you by email once your enrollment is approved.
- Apply for financial assistance by selecting your chosen school for training—Blackstone Career Institute—and entering the program name.
- Once BCI receives notice that your MyCAA financial assistance is approved, you can begin your coursework for the Dental Office Assistant Program.
Benefits of MyCAA Dental Assistant Program
In addition to supportive financial funding, you will be enrolling in a training program that can qualify you as a military spouse for a highly portable and in-demand career when completed. Other benefits of Blackstone’s program include a fully online format, self-paced coursework completion, and academic support via email.
A dental assistant career can provide desired job stability, and opportunities exist to advance in the field. The DANB offers further certifications to pursue beyond the entry-level certification. Enrolling in a MyCAA dental assistant program, such as Blackstone’s NELDA aligned Dental Office Assistant Program, can be a first step toward a successful career. To discuss enrolling in BCI’s program, you may schedule a call with an admissions advisor here.
Written by Jo Gambosi
