Dental Assistant Schools in Virginia

The guide on this page introduces Virginia residents to everything they need to know to start a successful dental assistant career in the state. We go over the basics that candidates need to secure admission into a training program before revealing a few possible training arrangements for real-world competence.

Readers will also learn about the possible destinations to consult for valuable credentials, which can help them be as appealing as possible to potential employers.

Lastly, we analyze the top dental assisting training programs in the state and the salary possibilities based on professionals’ career journeys.

How to Become a Dental Assistant in Virginia

The steps below are needed to become a successful dental assistant in Virginia.

Step One: Important Qualities

Several important qualities that prospective dental assistants must possess to improve their career chances are dexterity, interpersonal skills, listening skills, detail orientation, and organizational skills.

Step Two: Formal Education

The state website for dental assistants in Virginia specifies that candidates who want to enter this field must take challenging high school courses, including Science, English, and Mathematics.

For their technical training, students are expected to go through academic programs at community colleges and trade schools. The most common award for those who complete such an arrangement is a certificate of completion.

Notably, dental assistant training programs last 6 to 12 months. In Virginia, it is also possible to become a dental assistant by participating in “on-the-job” training programs. However, this approach is less popular.

Step Three: Employment and Career Growth

Dental assistants are commonly found in dentists’ offices. Other work environments may include – to a less common extent – physician offices, laboratories, and government agencies.

It is also imperative for dental assistants to continue to improve their careers through certification and membership in a professional association. The next section analyzes these concerns in greater detail.

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Licensure & Certification Requirements

The state of Virginia does not exclusively expect dental assistants to receive a license before they can start practicing professionally, and it does not have laws making general certification compulsory.

Certification for a dental assistant in the state is only compulsory for those who will be working as radiologists. In this case, they must get a radiology certification.

The Dental Assisting National Board is the main authority nationwide for those who would like to become certified and enjoy career opportunities. The DANB offers a Certified Dental Assistant credential and the Radiation Health and Safety credential for those working in radiology.

Applicants must pass a professional examination before they can be certified. Joining a professional association can also help dental assistants in Virginia network with professionals and improve their skills.

The Virginia Dental Association located in Richmond and the American Dental Assistant Association are some prominent associations that candidates may consider joining.

Top Dental Assistant Schools in Virginia

Any of the programs below are sure to provide robust education for prospective dental assistants in Virginia.

Explore dental assistant schools in Virginia by city:

• Dental assistant schools in Chesapeake

Salary & Career Outlook

Data shows that candidates can fall into any of three broad categories when estimating the annual average salary of dental assistants in Virginia. The first category includes dental assistants in the top 10 percent of earners, who make around $91,496 per year.

Those who are here typically get there because they have worked on their experience level, location, credentials, work environment, and other responsible factors. The other categories are the median earners, with an annual average salary of $71,136, and the low-level earners, with an annual average salary of $55,306.

Focusing on location, we have the following as the top-paying destinations for dental assistants in Virginia.

• Alexandria, with an annual average salary of $79,025;
• Arlington, with an annual average salary of $78,319;
• Ashburn, with an annual average salary of $77,577 and
• Herndon, with an annual average salary of $72,787.

The BLS projects that the demand for dental assistants in the country will continue to grow by around 8% over the next 10 years.