Median hourly earnings of dental assistants were $13.10 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.35 and $16.20 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.45, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $19.41 an hour.
Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. According to the American Dental Association, almost all full-time dental assistants employed by private practitioners received paid vacation time. The ADA also found that 9 out of 10 full-time and part-time dental assistants received dental coverage.
Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. They work chairside as dentists examine and treat patients. They make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, and obtain their dental records. Assistants hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients' mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. Assistants also sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare trays of instruments for dental procedures, and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care.
Some dental assistants prepare materials for impressions and restorations, take dental x rays, and process x-ray film as directed by a dentist. They also may remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment.
Those with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary crowns. Dental assistants with office duties schedule and confirm appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills, receive payments, and order dental supplies and materials.
Dental assistants should not be confused with dental hygienists, who are licensed to perform different clinical tasks. (See the statement on dental hygienists elsewhere in the Handbook.)
.Job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent. Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. In fact, dental assistants is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2012.
In addition to job openings due to employment growth, numerous job openings will arise out of the need to replace assistants who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Many opportunities are for entry-level positions offering on-the-job training.
Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people will fuel demand for dental services. Older dentists, who have been less likely to employ assistants, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to use one or even two assistants. In addition, as Dentists' workloads increase, they are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks, so that they may devote their own time to more profitable procedures.
Most assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing number are trained in dental-assisting programs offered by community and junior colleges, trade schools, technical institutes, or the Armed Forces. Assistants must be a second pair of hands for a dentist; therefore, Dentists look for people who are reliable, can work well with others, and have good manual dexterity. High school students interested in a career as a dental assistant should take courses in biology, chemistry, health, and office practices.
The American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation approved 259 dental-assisting training programs in 2002. Programs include classroom, laboratory, and preclinical instruction in dental-assisting skills and related theory. In addition, students gain practical experience in dental schools, clinics, or dental offices. Most programs take 1 year or less to complete and lead to a certificate or diploma. Two-year programs offered in community and junior colleges lead to an associate degree. All programs require a high school diploma or its equivalent, and some require science or computer-related courses for admission. A number of private vocational schools offer 4- to 6-month courses in dental assisting, but the Commission on Dental Accreditation does not accredit these programs.
Most States regulate the duties that dental assistants are allowed to perform through licensure or registration. Licensure or registration may require passing a written or practical examination. States offering licensure or registration have a variety of schools offering courses—approximately 10 to 12 months in length—that meet their State's requirements. Many States require continuing education to maintain licensure or registration. A few States allow dental assistants to perform any function delegated to them by the dentist.
Individual States have adopted different standards for dental assistants who perform certain advanced duties, such as radiological procedures. The completion of the Radiation Health and Safety examination offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) meets those standards in more than 30 States. Some States require the completion of a State-approved course in radiology as well.
Certification is available through DANB and is recognized or required in more than 30 States. Other organizations offer registration, most often at the State level. Certification is an acknowledgment of an assistant's qualifications and professional competence and may be an asset when one is seeking employment. Candidates may qualify to take the DANB certification examination by graduating from an accredited training program or by having 2 years of full-time, or 4 years of part-time, experience as a dental assistant. In addition, applicants must have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For annual recertification, individuals must earn continuing education credits.
Without further education, advancement opportunities are limited. Some dental assistants become office managers, dental-assisting instructors, or dental product sales representatives. Others go back to school to become dental hygienists. For many, this entry-level occupation provides basic training and experience and serves as a steppingstone to more highly skilled and higher paying jobs.
Other workers supporting health practitioners include medical assistants, occupational therapist assistants and aides, pharmacy aides, pharmacy technicians, and physical therapist assistants and aides.
Information about career opportunities and accredited dental assistant programs is available from:
For information on becoming a Certified Dental Assistant and a list of State boards of dentistry, contact:
For more information on a career as a dental assistant and general information about continuing education, contact:
For more information about continuing education courses, contact:
The Education Direct Dental Assistant Program can help you learn these skills and many more. Train quickly and conveniently. Work at a dental clinic, performing a variety of services. Work for a federal, state, or local government agency. Contact Education Direct Today.
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Serv - Business Services",206);addToList(list,"Prof. Applicant should be experienced. Required for temporary position, start 29/8/05 end 23/9/05. preferred but not essential. Would you like to be a good Dental Assistant.
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It encourages education, registration and certification for dental assisting professionals while providing a network of personal services for its members. In most areas, the ADAA is served by the state association and often a local component as well. With this growth and recognition, the importance and role of the dental assistant has become more focused as job opportunities have increased. The American Dental Assistants Association is the oldest, largest group representing professional dental assistants. Wide Career Choices Await Dental Assisting Students and ProfessionalsA sound footing in clinical dental assisting is a great start for a career that offers many choices.
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This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. Job Zone Examples These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. American Dental Assistants Association external site, 35 E.
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Dentists are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks so that they may devote their own time to more profitable procedures. Most assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing number are trained in dental-assisting programs; most programs take 1 year or less to complete. They work chairside as dentists examine and treat patients. All programs require a high school diploma or its equivalent, and some require science or computer-related courses for admission. Most States regulate the duties that dental assistants are allowed to perform through licensure or registration.
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Introduction What Do Dental Assistants Do. What Are the Advantages of a Dental Assisting Career. What Education/Training Does a Dental Assistant Need. Return to Top What Do Dental Assistants Do. Most dental assistants who choose to become nationally certified take the Dental Assisting National Board's (DANB) Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination.
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In 1986, National Education Centers, Inc. acquired the school in Newport News and the name was changed to National Education Center - Kee Business College Campus. On September 1995, and the school name was changed back to Kee Business College on June 30, 1996. Additional entry-level positions include dental receptionists, dental insurance clerks, dental supply salespeople, and dental office administrative assistants. Our comprehensive medical clinical assistant program will provide you with back-office training in a medical or clinical environment.
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Dentists are anticipated to employ an increased number of assistants to perform regular tasks, allowing themselves adequate time to perform more profitable work. Most dental assistants learn through on-the-job training; however, more are training through special dental-assisting programs which can be completed in 1 year or less. They also prepare patients for any possible treatments and acquire past dental records. It is necessary for dental assistants to wear the proper clothing; gloves, masks, eyewear and protective clothing must be worn to protect themselves as well as the patient from any serious disease. Through licensure or registration, most states make regulations regarding the tasks that dental assistants are able to do.
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This is where dental assistants come in. They often help during the procedure, assuring you with their presence. They work closely with dentists as they examine and treat patients. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up.
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