Dental Assistant Schools in Arkansas

Dental assistants’ job descriptions can be quite varied. They can schedule patient appointments, handle billings and payments, sterilize dental instruments, and provide these instruments to dentists during procedures.

Attending a sound training program is imperative to developing expertise in all of these areas. However, Arkansas residents must meet many other requirements before they can call themselves fully-fledged dental assistants.

This guide introduces readers to the requirements, considerations, and steps for career opportunities.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Arkansas

Below is a step-by-step analysis of how to become a thriving dental assistant in Arkansas.

Soft Skills

Typically, individuals who possess a series of soft skills are more likely to succeed as dental assistants. These include attention to detail, organizational skills, listening skills, and interpersonal skills.

Dexterity and the ability to work in tight spaces are also valuable skills for professionals in the field who will also be handling equipment and instruments.

Basic Educational Documents

Before securing admission into training programs, applicants may be asked to provide some basic educational documents. These usually include a high school diploma and transcripts or a GED test equivalent to use in its place.

Training Destinations

There are several dental assistant training destinations for candidates in Arkansas, each with its highlights. Generally, the most popular are community colleges and vocational schools with certificate and associate degree programs for interested candidates.

Of course, when choosing between these programs, candidates may also have to decide whether to pursue online programs, in-person programs, or hybrid programs that combine both approaches.

Employment

After completing a training program, and ideally after combining it with some volunteer work or internship for practical experience, candidates can secure employment and become full-fledged dental assistants in Arkansas.

Of course, they also have to continue to improve themselves by focusing on continuing education and advanced degree opportunities.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• How to become an electrician in Arkansas

Licensure & Certification Requirements

Arkansas, like most states in the country, does not mandate a state license for professionals who will be performing the general duties of a dental assistant. Candidates need a license only if they are going to be performing special functions like radiology, coronal polishing, or nitrous oxide administration.

Those in this category must receive their permits from the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners.

Regardless of their functions, dental assistants in Arkansas must still consider certification to facilitate career opportunities. The Dental Assisting National Board is the authority to offer professional credentials.

Candidates may pursue general credentials like the Registered Dental Assistant and Certified Dental Assistant credentials or specialty credentials like the Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant credential.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in Arkansas

Candidates may consider any of the top-tier programs below for their dental assistant education in Arkansas.

Explore dental assistant schools in Arkansas by city:

• Dental assistant schools in Little Rock

Salary & Career Outlook

Dental assistants in Arkansas can earn an annual average salary of $80,443 if they are among the highest-paid. However, not everyone will fall into this range, and definitely not at the start of their careers.

It is common, for example, to find dental assistants in Arkansas taking home an annual average salary of $59,202. This will put them in the average range and make a figure that is not too far from the national average.

Also, fresh candidates may begin with an annual average salary of $43,569, which is pertinent for the bottom 10 percent.

Location is a critical criterion when exploring the factors that can help candidates earn a higher salary. Rogers, for instance, is at the top of the list of high-paying cities, with an annual average salary of $63,638. Also in the top three are Bentonville and Springdale, with annual average salaries of $61,796 and $61,694, respectively.

Fayetteville and Little Rock are the top five cities in Arkansas with the highest salaries for dental assistants, with annual average salaries of $60,901 and $60,621, respectively.