Dental assistants perform various duties related to the dental office, patient care, and the dental laboratory. They gather and update dental records and disinfect, sterilize, lay out, and prepare materials and instruments used for treatment.
During a dental procedure, the assistant helps the dentist, handing over materials and instruments and using suction to keep the patient’s mouth dry. As directed, the assistant may process x-rays, use impressions to make casts of the mouth and teeth, schedule appointments, handle billing, and order dental supplies.
Dental Assistant Skill Set:
Speaking
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Service Orientation
Critical Thinking
Coordination
Required Abilities:
Oral Comprehension
Oral Expression
Speech Recognition
Near Vision
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Speech Clarity
Finger Dexterity
Tools Used by Dental Assistants:
Dental Dam Supplies
Dental Forceps
Dental Hand Pieces or Accessories
Orthodontic Pliers
Steam Autoclaves or Sterilizers
At a Glance: Salary Statistics
Dental Assistant Salaries for Industries
Popular Industries
Salary
Offices of Dentists
$34,710
Offices of Physicians
$32,740
Federal Executive Branch
$38,180
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
$33,790
Employment Services
$34,990
Typical Work Activities
Assisting and Caring for Others
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Dental Assistant Salaries for Popular Cities and States
Job prospects for dental assistants are predicted to be excellent between now and 2020, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
A 31 percent growth in employment is anticipated, making this one of the fastest growing occupations between 2010 and 2020. Both entry level and experienced positions will be available.
Education & Training
Most states do not have formal training or education requirements for entry level dental assistants. In the past, many individuals learned on the job. In recent years, trade schools, junior and community colleges, the military, and technical institutes have begun offering dental assisting programs that last for one year. To assume more advanced roles or perform radiological procedures, a certification or license may be required by the state. Fourteen percent of respondents to a recent O*Net survey of dental assistants had a high school diploma or equivalent, seven percent had an associate’s degree, and 72 percent took some college courses but did not graduate with a degree.
High school students interested in a career in this field should take classes in health, office practices, chemistry, and biology. The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) approved 281 training programs for dental assistants as of 2009. Included in these curricula are classroom study, lab work, and preclinical education in skills regarding dental assisting and relevant theory. It is important to note that four to six-month dental assisting programs offered by private vocational schools are not CODA-accredited. Some junior and community colleges offer two-year associate degree programs.
Duties falling under the realm of dental assistant are usually regulated by the state. Registration, licensure, and continuing education may be required. The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) administers the credential of Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), which is required or recognized within at least 37 states. Additional training and certification, such as the DANB Radiation Health and Safety examination, may be required for those who perform radiological procedures.
Related Occupations
Dental hygienists, occupational therapist assistants, and surgical technologists are just three other types of workers that support health practitioners. Here's a brief breakdown of each:
Dental hygienists examine patient gums and teeth, remove tooth deposits, and provide preventative dental care.
Individuals who assist occupational therapists offer rehabilitative services to patients with developmental, emotional, physical, or mental impairments.
Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, work under the supervision of registered nurses, surgeons, or other surgical personnel and provide assistance with surgical operations like passing instruments, cutting sutures, and applying wound dressings.
