Dental Assistant Schools in Louisiana

Dental assistants in Louisiana ensure the smooth day-to-day running of a dental establishment by interacting with patients and performing basic clinical duties. These professionals are so valuable that they not only enjoy a high employment rate at the moment but are expected to enjoy even higher demand in the next ten years.

This is the right page for Louisiana residents who want to become successful dental assistants.

Below, readers will discover a series of resources describing the steps needed to launch a thriving dental assistant career in the state. They will also find out steps to take for career opportunities, specific training programs, and annual average salary projections, among others.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Louisiana

The steps below are needed to launch a thriving dental assistant career in Louisiana.

Finishing an Accredited Program

Prospective dental assistants don’t need to attend a community college to start their careers. However, programs offered by these institutions, along with vocational schools in the area, excel at giving candidates structured knowledge through a constantly updated curriculum.

Attending an accredited training program is also important because it allows students to pursue certification and guarantees a base level of high-quality training.

Candidates have the luxury of academic programs to choose from, based on their specific awards/degrees and how long they would like to spend in training. The state of Louisiana boasts several accredited programs that operate at very high standards. We analyze some of the top options below.

On-the-Job Training

On-the-job training is just as critical for success as academic training for dental assistants. In fact, both work hand-in-hand to ensure that graduates are properly trained and as well-rounded as possible to perform their tasks in a work environment.

Externships and internships are popular approaches to developing on-the-job training for prospective dental assistants.

Some dental establishments will also admit volunteers or trainees who will be able to learn under the supervision of dentists and dental hygienists.

Transferable Skills

Transferable skills, such as interpersonal and communication skills, are vital for any dental assistant. An organizational mindset, an affinity for proper planning, and a high level of dexterity are also important.

Keeping up with Continuing Education

Lastly, even though proper training is enough to get started on the job, candidates are expected to acquire more skills as they proceed. This will not only allow them to remain competitive but also serve as a platform to enter more complex areas.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a medical assistant in Louisiana

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The state of Louisiana recognizes two distinct categories of dental assistants: regular and expanded duty.

Regular dental assistants can enter the profession and start performing basic entry-level tasks without completing a state-mandated educational program or acquiring a permit. However, those who work as expanded-duty dental assistants can perform more advanced tasks, such as administering nitrous oxide and performing radiology.

In this case, they will need to register with the state and complete appropriate programs/credentialing examinations.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in Louisiana

The entries below are considered to be among the most prominent dental assistant training programs in Louisiana.

Explore dental assistant schools in Louisiana by city:

• Dental assistant schools in New Orleans

Salary & Career Outlook

As an established dental assistant in Louisiana with extensive experience and credentials, you can manage an annual average salary of up to $73,265. However, those who are just entering the profession have to start smaller.

It is not uncommon for those in this category to be among the bottom 10%, making an annual average salary of $41,950. Meanwhile, in the median category, which is the most popular, the expected annual average salary is around $55,439.

Along with experience and credentials, location can be a significant determinant of a dental assistant’s yearly return in Louisiana. Currently, Metairie holds the top spot in relative salary, with an annual average figure of around $60,759.

Baton Rouge, with an annual average salary of $58,294, and Mandeville, with an annual average salary of $56,919, are also among the top 3. The average dental assistant in New Orleans tends to end the year with a salary of around $54,149.