Dental Assistant Schools in Mississippi

Mississippi has several dental clinics and establishments, all of which are in great demand for competent dental assistants. As a resident of the state who is enthusiastic about dentistry and related areas, the field offers a straightforward path and reasonable yearly income figures.

Through the guide on this page, interested individuals in Mississippi should gain a clear understanding of the steps they will need to follow to start their careers properly. They will understand the educational arrangements available to them and how to maximize each option.

They will also learn about the best training programs in the area and what certifications or professional credentials to pursue.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Mississippi

The guide below outlines the general requirements for becoming a successful dental assistant in Mississippi.

Soft Skills and Admission Requirements

To offer admission to new applicants, many dental assistant training programs require a high school diploma or GED. Some will also have a minimum age of around 18 years old.

To thrive in their job, candidates must also develop essential soft skills, including interpersonal, communication, organizational, and planning skills.

Educational Arrangements

The two forms of educational arrangements that dental assistants in Mississippi can pursue are academic and on-the-job training.

Combining both of these in some way is the most prudent approach.

Academic Education

Several local community colleges and vocational schools in Mississippi offer accredited dental assistant programs for interested individuals. These programs are known to operate at a very high educational standard, hence their accredited status.

However, in addition to their comprehensive education, graduates of such programs also enjoy a straightforward path to becoming certified and reaping the benefits that come with professional credentials.

We explore some top accredited programs for candidates to consider in one of the sections that follow.

On-the-Job Education

While academic programs are great for equipping candidates with a foundational knowledge of theoretical principles and laboratory topics, individuals cannot consider themselves full-fledged dental assistants unless they can practice everything they have been taught in a functional environment.

This is why on-the-job education is so important.

Many academic programs allow students to receive on-the-job training through an internship or externship at the end of their program.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a medical assistant in Mississippi

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Dental assistants in Mississippi must be certified in CPR within 180 days of securing employment. Afterward, candidates are not required to meet any additional licensing requirements to begin working professionally.

While certification is not mandatory for dental assistants in Mississippi, many choose to become certified by the Dental Assisting National Board. This certification is highly regarded and can enhance a dental assistant’s professional standing and career prospects.

Certified dental assistants are more respected among potential employers due to the credibility that certification and professional credentials confer.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in Mississippi

Below are a few high-quality training programs available for aspiring dental assistants in Mississippi.

Explore dental assistant schools in Mississippi by city:

• Dental assistant schools in Jackson

Salary & Career Outlook

Key factors, including experience, credentials, work environment, and location, can be used to explore the annual average salary of a dental assistant in Mississippi.

Analyzing the figures based on location, we have the following notable cities and their yearly returns:

• Jackson, with an annual average salary of $66,013;
• Flowood, with an annual average salary of $63,628;
• Southaven, with an annual average salary of $63,156 and
• Ridgeland, with an annual average salary of $61,403.

However, without examining these figures through any specific criteria, we can provide generalized numbers for candidates to expect. In the first category, we have the highest-paid dental assistants in Mississippi, who earn an average annual salary of $72,706.

In the second category, we have the lowest-paid dental assistants in the state, who earn an average annual salary of $41,125. Finally, in the last and most popular category, we have the median annual salary of dental assistants in Mississippi, which is around $54,681.