Dental Assistant: Salary, Career, Degree Information

Median annual wages of dental assistants were $35,380 in November 2009. The middle 50 percent earned between $29,980 and $42,960. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,270, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $51,150.

Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. According to a 2009 survey conducted by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), 86 percent of Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) reported receiving paid vacation from their employers, and more than half of CDAs received health benefits.

Dental Assistant Job Description

So what exactly to do dental assistants do for a living? A lot it turns out. They fill a wide variety of roles in the dental office. Some of these include preparing patients for dental procedures, ensuring the sterility of the dental environment, assisting dentists during procedures by providing tools and materials, working with suppliers to schedule deliveries, helping patients schedule appointments, teaching patients about proper oral health, and taking patient x-rays. With all those roles being filled by dental assistants, it’s hard to imagine any dental office could function without them. This broad range of responsibilities also leads to a diverse and interesting work experience.

Is Dental Assisting Right for Me?

The ideal candidate for a dental assistant career is someone who is caring and wants to help others, pays attention to details, is able to follow specific procedures, and enjoys interacting with other people. The wide range of responsibilities means that dental assistants must have a variety of skills and be constantly learning and improving as the dental industry evolves.

The Benefits of a Dental Assisting Career

So why should you become a dental assistant instead of choosing a different profession? There are many reasons. For one, dental assistants earn a very respectable salary. Since everyone needs dental care, they can find employment in almost any community. Since dental care is a constant need, their employment is not normally affected by changes in the economy. Dental assistants also report excellent career satisfaction.

Kaplan University

Certificate | Diploma | Associate’s – Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Dental Assistant, Medical Admin & Insurance Specialist, Medical Insurance Coder, Nursing Assistant, X-Ray Tech/Back Office Medical Assistant. One of the best in the nation for this particular program.

Concorde Career College

Diploma | Associate’s – Dental Asst, Insurance Coding & Billing, Medical Asst, Nursing, Patient Care Tech, Practical Nurse, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Tech, Pharm Tech, Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Tech

Technical College

Certificate | Diploma | Associate’s – Dental Asst, Emergency Medical Services, Health Records Tech, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Medical Office Admin, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomy Tech, Massage Therapy

Heald College

Diploma | Associate’s – Dental Asst, Health Info Tech, Medical Office Admin, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Technology

Allied College

Diploma - Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech. One of the best in the nation for this particular program.

Sanford Brown Institute

Students in Missouri can enroll in this program, which covers dental anatomy, pathology, radiography, chair side techniques and dental laboratory and office administration. The program is split into lecture, lab and clinical components, as well as a final externship.

Southeastern Institute

This school’s Dallas and Midland, TX locations offer a dental assisting diploma that covers chair-side, office and lab procedures. After the 300-hour externship, graduates can apply for entry-level employment and take exams for dental radiology certification.

Ultimate Medical Academy

The dental assisting program at UMA instructs students on how to assist dentists during routine cleanings, advanced procedures and office operations. The program also includes radiology training, and ends with a clinical externship.