Dental Assistant Schools in New York

Dental assistants assist dentists and other workers in an establishment to ensure the smooth running of affairs. They sometimes serve as the bridge between dentists and patients, helping the latter find the appropriate treatment rooms and get settled in.

Anyone looking to start a successful career as a dental assistant in New York must become familiar with the requirements. The following sections provide exactly that.

We explore all the major requirements that candidates must know, including basic educational requirements, training programs, and certification options for career growth.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in New York

These are the steps necessary to become a dental assistant in New York.

Meet the Basic Requirements

New York requires dental assistants to be at least 18 years old and high school graduates or have a GED equivalent.

Other requirements include being of good moral character (as will be determined by the State Education Department) and completing a training program.

Completing A Training Program

It should come as no surprise (due to the technicality of the field) that aspiring dental assistants in New York must complete a training program before they can start their careers. The state offers two options, which include the following:

• Option A—Candidates must attend a one-year dental assisting course approved by the state of New York. This course must contain at least 24 semester hours and 200 hours of clinical training.

Students will find several such options in this state, including some of the most prominent, which we will highlight in an upcoming section.

• Option B — Candidates may pursue an alternate study cause accepted by the state education department. This must include 1,000 hours of work experience.

Employment

Training is the most critical element to secure employment as a dental assistant. However, New York also specifies some licensure and certification requirements that individuals must fulfill. We dive deeper into this below.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn to become a medical assistant in New York

Licensure & Certification Requirements

The state of New York requires aspiring dental assistants to complete a professional examination after completing their training programs. They have the luxury of choosing between two options.

The first is to pass all three components of the Certified Dental Assistant examination offered by the Dental Assisting National Board. The three components include Infection Control, General Chairside Care, and Radiation Health and Safety. The second pathway is to pass only the Exam’s Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control components and the New York Professional Dental Assisting Exam.

After doing so, candidates may apply for an official New York State Education Department license. Those who have completed all these steps may refer to themselves as Registered Dental Assistants in the state.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in New York

Aspiring New York dental assistants may consider the training programs below for their foundational education.

Explore dental assistant schools in New York by city:

• Dental assistant schools in New York City

Salary & Career Outlook

Dental assistants just beginning their careers in New York may be among the state’s bottom 10% of earners. They may also be among the mid-range earners in the middle category.

Those who fall among the bottom 10% take home an annual average salary of $53,795, while those who fall among the average earners take home around $71,805 at the end of each year. At the upper end, the highest-paid dental assistants in New York make around $95,844 in annual average salary.

Some factors that affect how much a dental assistant makes in New York are experience, credentials, and location.

With an annual average salary of $78,243, New York remains the highest-paying destination for individuals working as dental assistants in New York. Also among the top five are the Bronx, with an annual average salary of $75,866; Garden City, with an annual average salary of $74,736; Brooklyn, with an annual average salary of $73,354; and Bayside, with an annual average salary of $73,062.