Dental Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is home to several successful hospitals and practices with thriving dental departments. Aspiring dental assistants in the state can also join professional organizations to grow their careers and enjoy other valuable benefits.

The article below explores the various requirements needed to become a dental assistant in Pennsylvania. Before exploring certification and licensure possibilities, we highlight the preparatory requirements and educational pathways.

From there, we move on to the state’s top dental assistant training programs before concluding with an overview of the expected annual salary for an upcoming dental assistant in Pennsylvania.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Pennsylvania

The following are the steps involved in becoming a dental assistant in Pennsylvania.

Completing a Training Program

As with most states, aspiring dental assistants in Pennsylvania are required by law to complete a training program before becoming officially employed. Candidates usually seek training from an academic program to earn a certificate or degree and retain an edge during the employment-seeking process.

Classroom training also allows prospective dental assistants to learn key topics that will serve them well in training. For instance, they will learn about chairside assistants, radiation safety, and infection control.

These, in turn, are the topics they will have to contend with during their professional examinations. Most dental assistant training programs in Pennsylvania can be completed in a year or two.

Students must also ensure that they attend training programs approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry.

Completing Hands-On Training

As important as learning fundamental topics in the classroom is, aspiring dental assistants in Pennsylvania must also be able to practice what they have been taught before they can call themselves professionals. This is why hands-on training is required.

Thankfully, candidates who have received classroom training should have no problem securing an opportunity to learn on the job. Furthermore, some training programs already incorporate hands-on training and real-world practice into their curriculum.

Employment

Prospective dental assistants in Pennsylvania who have acquired classroom and practical training are a few steps away from employment. The next critical step for them involves becoming certified. We look deeper into this requirement below.

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

Certification is a must for dental assistants in Pennsylvania. Becoming certified offers credibility and skill verification while paving the way for career growth.

The Dental Assisting National Board is the major organization responsible for issuing nationally recognized and state-approved certification for dental assistants in Pennsylvania. The board offers a Certified Dental Assistant credential to those who have graduated from an approved training program. Candidates who have completed a dental hygiene program containing at least 75 hours of clinical instruction may also qualify for the CDA exam.

The exam tests students in three components of dental assisting: chairside assisting, infection control, and radiation health and safety. Candidates must also be prepared to renew their credentials periodically through continuing education.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in Pennsylvania

Below are some top-class training programs for future dental assistants in Pennsylvania to consider.

Explore dental assistant schools in Pennsylvania by city:

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Salary & Career Outlook

Like in most professions, candidates starting their dental assistant careers in Pennsylvania may earn less than those who have been on the job for longer. Factors such as this contribute to professionals in this field falling among any of the three general categories.

The first category includes the average earners, who take home an annual salary of around $73,050. The second category includes the highest-paid dental assistants in Pennsylvania, who earn an annual average salary of around $100,391.

The lowest-paid are in the last category, earning an average salary of around $53,155 per year. Location is another factor significantly influencing these figures.

Based on location alone, Wyomissing has the highest salary potential in the state, with an annual average salary of $76,145. It is followed by Doylestown, with an annual average salary of $75,300.

Pittsburgh and Quakertown, with annual average salaries of $74,957 and $72,712, and Philadelphia, with an annual average salary of $72,139, round out the top five.