What You Need to Know About Dental Assistants

Example of a Dental Assistant Job Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.

Life As a Dental Assistant

• Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
• Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
• Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
• Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
• Record treatment information in patient records.
• Clean teeth, using dental instruments.

What a Dental Assistant Should Know

These are the skills Dental Assistants say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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.

Types of Dental Assistant Jobs

• Surgical Dental Assistant
• Dental Nurse
• Dental Aide
• Orthodontist Assistant
• Dental Office Manager

Job Demand for Dental Assistants

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 332,000 jobs in the United States for Dental Assistants.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.5% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 64,600 new jobs for Dental Assistants by 2026. The BLS estimates 45,900 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Dental Assistants are California, Texas, and New York.

Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, Vermont, or Mississippi. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Dental Assistants Make A Lot Of Money?

The salary for Dental Assistants ranges between about $26,940 and $54,800 a year. The median salary for this occupation is $38,660.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Minnesota	$49,880
District of Columbia	$49,220
New Hampshire	$48,760
Alaska	$47,330
North Dakota	$46,640
Massachusetts	$46,070
Virginia	$44,640
Connecticut	$44,520
Rhode Island	$43,710
Washington	$43,680
Oregon	$43,440
New Jersey	$43,110
Vermont	$42,640
Maine	$42,250
Maryland	$42,080
North Carolina	$41,790
Iowa	$41,100
Delaware	$41,060
California	$41,030
Indiana	$40,790
Arizona	$40,680
Colorado	$40,390
South Carolina	$39,750
Florida	$39,590
Illinois	$39,370
Pennsylvania	$39,200
New York	$39,130
Ohio	$38,960
Hawaii	$38,860
Wisconsin	$38,630
Missouri	$38,350
Nevada	$38,240
South Dakota	$37,820
Tennessee	$37,610
Montana	$37,310
Michigan	$37,140
Kansas	$37,040
Nebraska	$36,860
Texas	$36,820
Georgia	$36,710
Oklahoma	$36,550
Kentucky	$36,060
Wyoming	$35,220
New Mexico	$34,870
Idaho	$34,800
Arkansas	$34,080
Alabama	$33,650
Mississippi	$32,900
Louisiana	$32,340
West Virginia	$31,410
Utah	$31,280

What Tools & Technology do Dental Assistants Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Dental Assistants:

• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Excel

How to Become a Dental Assistant

What education is needed to be a Dental Assistant?

What work experience do I need to become a Dental Assistant?

Where Dental Assistants Are Employed

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming Dental Assistants might also be interested in the following careers:

• Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
• Respiratory Therapists

Career changers with experience as a Dental Assistant sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

• Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons