What Does it Take to Be a Dental Assistant?
Example of Dental Assistant Job Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.
A Day in the Life of a Dental Assistant
- Clean teeth, using dental instruments.
- Clean and polish removable appliances.
- Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
- Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
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What Every Dental Assistant Should Know
When polled, Dental Assistants say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Types of Dental Assistant
- Surgical Dental Assistant
- Orthodontic Assistant (Ortho Assistant)
- Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
- Orthodontic Technician
- Dental Office Manager
Dental Assistant Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 332,000 jobs for Dental Assistant in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.5% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 64,600 new jobs for Dental Assistant by 2026. The BLS estimates 45,900 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Dental Assistant are Arizona, Maryland, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Mississippi, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Dental Assistant Salary
Dental Assistants make between $26,940 and $54,800 a year.
Dental Assistants who work in Minnesota, New Hampshire, or District of Columbia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Dental Assistants in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $33,650 |
| Alaska | $47,330 |
| Arizona | $40,680 |
| Arkansas | $34,080 |
| California | $41,030 |
| Colorado | $40,390 |
| Connecticut | $44,520 |
| Delaware | $41,060 |
| District of Columbia | $49,220 |
| Florida | $39,590 |
| Georgia | $36,710 |
| Hawaii | $38,860 |
| Idaho | $34,800 |
| Illinois | $39,370 |
| Indiana | $40,790 |
| Iowa | $41,100 |
| Kansas | $37,040 |
| Kentucky | $36,060 |
| Louisiana | $32,340 |
| Maine | $42,250 |
| Maryland | $42,080 |
| Massachusetts | $46,070 |
| Michigan | $37,140 |
| Minnesota | $49,880 |
| Mississippi | $32,900 |
| Missouri | $38,350 |
| Montana | $37,310 |
| Nebraska | $36,860 |
| Nevada | $38,240 |
| New Hampshire | $48,760 |
| New Jersey | $43,110 |
| New Mexico | $34,870 |
| New York | $39,130 |
| North Carolina | $41,790 |
| North Dakota | $46,640 |
| Ohio | $38,960 |
| Oklahoma | $36,550 |
| Oregon | $43,440 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,200 |
| Rhode Island | $43,710 |
| South Carolina | $39,750 |
| South Dakota | $37,820 |
| Tennessee | $37,610 |
| Texas | $36,820 |
| Utah | $31,280 |
| Vermont | $42,640 |
| Virginia | $44,640 |
| Washington | $43,680 |
| West Virginia | $31,410 |
| Wisconsin | $38,630 |
| Wyoming | $35,220 |
What Tools do Dental Assistants Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Dental Assistants may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Intuit Quicken
- Henry Schein Dentrix
- Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft
- Kodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMS
How do I Become a Dental Assistant?
Individuals working as a Dental Assistant have obtained the following education levels:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Dental Assistants Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those thinking about becoming a Dental Assistant might also be interested in the following careers:
Those who work as a Dental Assistant sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Sgt. Dallas Edwards via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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