Dental Assistant Schools in Texas

The article on this page thoroughly explores all the steps needed to become a successful dental assistant in Texas. Candidates will discover the preparatory steps they need to take to get their careers started the right way before finding some training pathways and avenues they may consider and the pros and cons of all these.

Further along the page, readers will discover certification and licensing requirements, their necessity, and the options. After revealing some of the best training programs for aspiring dental assistants in Texas, the page concludes by showcasing the categories of dental assistants in the state by earning, how candidates can improve their yearly returns, and which locations in Texas are the best to earn a potentially high annual return.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Texas

Below are the considerations that all aspiring dental assistants in Texas must make to start their careers properly.

Step 1: Basic Requirements

In Texas, the basic requirements to become a dental assistant include having a high school diploma or GED. From there, candidates can prepare to complete the relevant training programs and courses listed below.

Step 2: Training Programs & Courses

Aspiring dental assistants in Texas must complete a hands-on training program in basic life support and technical training in key dental assisting areas before they can secure employment.

The training programs we highlight later below provide such comprehensive training. Most approved training programs for dental assistants in Texas can be completed in a year. Some may also opt for associate degree programs that take two years to complete.

For hands-on experience, candidates may apply for training positions at dental offices across the state.

Step 3: Certification & Employment

Dental assistants in Texas are expected to complete specialty certification courses to assume certain roles in dental offices. An example of this is the Red Cross CPR program.

More notably, candidates must become registered dental assistants in Texas in order to perform radiography, which is a common task for dental assistants. The following section explores how to do this properly.

Explore trades with similar paths:

• Learn to become a medical assistant in Texas

Licensure & Certification Requirements

As mentioned above, fresh dental assistants are expected to become registered in Texas and take on significant roles in dental offices. To do this, they must meet the requirements set by the state board.

Along with graduating from a training program and having a high school diploma, candidates must also complete a training course set by the TSBDE. This course covers infection control, x-ray procedures, and jurisprudence, among other key topics. Candidates must then earn the Certified Dental Assistant credential offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Lastly, they must complete the Texas jurisprudence assessment before officially applying to the TSBDE for registration.

Individuals preparing to take the above steps must also be ready to submit their fingerprints for a criminal background check.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in Texas

The entries below are some of Texas’s most prominent dental assistant training programs.

Explore dental assistant schools in Texas by city:

• Dental assistant schools in Dallas

Salary & Career Outlook

A survey of dental assistants in Texas revealed the annual average salary figure to be $61,331. This is relevant for most dental assistants in the state as it reflects where the majority converge.

However, several professionals in this field in the state fall either above or below the average mark. For example, those who fall among the bottom 10% of earners take home an annual average salary of $45,373, while those who fall among the top 10% earn an annual average salary of $82,902.

As for the best places to work as a dental assistant in Texas for the highest returns, they include:

• Dallas-Fort Worth, with an annual average salary of $75,676;
• Austin, with an annual average salary of $71,511;
• Dallas, with an annual average salary of $64,227;
• Houston, with an annual average salary of $62,551 and
• Fort Worth, with an annual average salary of $60,954.

Other factors, along with location, experience, employer, and professional credentials, influence the annual average salaries of dental assistants in Texas.