Dental Assistant Schools in South Carolina

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for dental assistants in South Carolina will only increase over the next decade. This is especially good news for candidates who would like to consider an advanced field in dentistry but would like to start with a less challenging discipline.

Becoming a dental assistant allows individuals to become familiar with how a dental establishment works before committing significant time to take on more advanced roles. This is possible because the steps involved in launching a dental assistant career in South Carolina, and indeed across the country, are quite straightforward.

Below, we explore the key parts of the process in a more detailed fashion.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in South Carolina

Residents of South Carolina can launch a successful dental assistant career following the framework below:

Step One: Basic Requirements

South Carolina does not have rigid requirements for prospective dental assistants. However, candidates are usually expected to have a high school diploma or GED to secure admission into training programs and potential employment.

Having strong analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills is also quite valuable.

Step Two: Completing a Formal Program

An aspiring dental assistant in South Carolina may start their career by enrolling in a training program at an academic institution. This approach is very popular because it offers a structured environment while also giving candidates a straightforward path to earning either a certificate or an associate degree.

Certificate programs allow students to finish their education faster, usually in a few months. However, associate degree students may have to spend a couple of years learning the craft.

Once they complete their program, candidates will have at least the technical foundation needed to secure entry-level employment.

Step Three: Continuing Education

After receiving the first level of training, individuals can become dental assistants in South Carolina and work professionally. However, the field continues to advance, and candidates are expected to keep up.

Additionally, advanced programs can help participants earn higher degrees and secure job placements in more advanced positions.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn how to become a medical assistant in South Carolina

Licensure & Certification Requirements

No state license is required to become a dental assistant in South Carolina. After training, candidates usually worry about certification.

Certification is absolutely important. It allows professionals in the field to set themselves apart and remain competitive for as long as possible. Certification also mandates continuing education, which helps candidates refresh their knowledge and acquire more skills on the job.

The Dental Assisting National Board is the major authority on certification for dental assistants in South Carolina and across the country. Candidates who would like to become certified by the board must be willing to pass appropriate professional examinations.

The board is also responsible for the Radiation Health and Safety exam, which is important for assistants who will be working with radiography.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in South Carolina

Below are some schools in South Carolina with excellent dental assistant programs.

Explore dental assistant schools in South Carolina by city:

• Dental assistant schools in Charleston

Salary & Career Outlook

The annual average salary of a dental assistant in South Carolina can range from $53,460 to $90,176, depending on factors like experience and location. The professionals who manage an annual average salary of $53,460 are among the least-paid in the state, while those who are among the top 10% manage an annual average salary of $90,176.

For candidates in the middle, who make up the majority, the annual average salary to expect is around $69,432. Credentials and employment establishment can also be significant factors.

As for the top-paying locations to work as a dental assistant in South Carolina, they include Mount Pleasant and Charleston, with annual average salaries of $77,551 and $ 75,762, respectively. We also have North Charleston, Fort Mill, and Columbia in the top five with annual average salaries of $73,858, $70,973, and $70,9,5,3, respectively.