Dental Assistant Career Overview

If you are interested in joining the healthcare industry and looking for a field that offers good career growth and job stability in the age of AI, consider becoming a dental assistant. Two reasons that make this career option lucrative are that the demand for dental assistants is growing, and you do not need a college degree, which makes it easier to start your career.

Dental assistants help dentists with various administrative and clinical tasks. They ensure that the patient’s treatment goes smoothly and that the dentists perform at their best. Their work starts right when the patient enters the dentist’s office, continues throughout the procedures, and follows up when the procedure is done.

This dental assistant career guide will explore what they do exactly, the requirements and steps to becoming one, the average salaries, and the career outlook.

What Do Dental Assistants Do?

Medical assistants help dentists with the procedure from the start to the end.

They help schedule appointments on the phone and organize the dentists’ schedules for the day. They ensure the patients are comfortable in the dental chair and prepare them with the x-rays or any prior history so it is easier to check and start the procedure.

Before starting the procedure, they sterilize and organize all the dental equipment so that it is easier to retrieve.

During a procedure, they hold the suction, hand the dentist the required equipment, and do X-rays if required.

After the procedure, they guide the patient regarding aftercare, schedule their next appointment if needed, process the bills, and maintain the record on the computer.

A specialized dental assistant helps more with clinical procedures, such as fitting a crown or taking a wax pattern.

Work Environment

Most dental assistants work at the dentist’s office or a hospital. A very small percentage of them work in other settings, such as dental manufacturing companies or educational institutions.

Fast-paced Environment

Assisting dentists in a dental office requires you to move fast in a tight schedule. The appointments are fixed, and the time is limited for everyone, so you must ensure the necessary preparations are made before the patient sits on the dental chair.

Requires Teamwork

Dental assistants coordinate with patients, dentists, lab technicians, receptionists, and administrative assistants to ensure satisfactory treatment. They must also be prepared for emergency patients.

Continuous Learning

Dental tech is advancing, and new technologies and methodologies are evolving, so learning new things will be an exciting part of your job.

Risks of Infections

While assisting dentists at the chair, they are at risk of multiple infections, so they must wear masks, gloves, and other protective clothing. They also need to be careful when using radioactive equipment.

Workload

Most Dental assistants work full-time, usually less than 40 hours per week. The schedule is predefined and may include working evening or weekend shifts if the facility is open for long hours.

How To Become A Dental Assistant

Requirements

In some states, becoming a dental assistant does not require completing a formal training program, making it easy to kick-start your career. You can start an entry-level job and get on-the-job training with a high school diploma or GED.

However, some states require completing an accredited training program that takes a year or two. This program exposes you to all the terminologies and skills to help you on the job. Also, it looks good on your resume, and employers prefer you over other candidates. That is why most dental assistants go for this route.

Training Options

Both online and on-campus training programs are available.

Some notable offline training programs are offered at San Antonio College, State University of New York (SUNY), College of Alameda, and Indiana University.

Notable institutions that offer popular online programs are Hudson Valley Community College, the University of Houston, Downtown, Rutgers University, and Ozarks Technical Community College.

Externships

Once you complete the training program, you can apply for jobs, volunteer opportunities, and externships. This will give you the required experience and a competitive edge in advancing your career.

Certifications

The next step is to take a certification exam. Three popular national certification options are:

• Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Certification by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
• Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Certification by the American Medical Technologists Organization
• National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) Certification by Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)

These certifications must be renewed after a certain time. Dental assistants must fulfill the requirements and pay a small renewal fee.

You must check the state’s dental board before obtaining a certificate because some states require a certain certification. For example, California state only accepts RDA.

Specialization

Once you have a few years of work experience, consider specializing and doing a certification in Orthodontic Dental assisting, Preventive Functions, or Restorative Functions.

Another career advancement approach is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. The credit hours can be transferred if you already have an associate’s degree.

Salaries And Job Outlook

The dental assistant career is rewarding and growing in the healthcare sector. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a growth of 7% in the next decade, which is quite good.

According to the BLS, Dental assistant salaries range from $29,580 to $47,580, with an average annual salary of $38,660.

Becoming a Top Earner

Many factors contribute to the higher earnings. State, city, education, and certifications are some of the most important.

Some states and cities with the top earning averages are Minneapolis, Minnesota; Portsmouth, NH-ME; and Bismarck, North Dakota, where dental assistants can earn an average of $49,000 to $59,000 annually.

Another way to increase your earnings is to complete accredited training programs. These programs give dental assistant confidence in their skills and help them pass the certification exam, which also helps in career growth and better earnings.

The specific place where you work also plays an important role. If you handle administrative and chairside work, you will be paid more than an assistant with a limited job responsibility.