Dental Assistant Careers

What Do Dental Assistants do?

Dental assistants perform a variety of tasks including recording patient medical histories, conducting basic cleanings, sterilizing equipment, preparing patients for dental procedures, and assisting the dentist during a procedure.

In order to become a dental assistant, students must go through a preparatory program that lasts anywhere from one to two years or more.

Many dental assistants learn many skills on-the-job, but it is important for students to have a basic understanding of the job requirements before finding employment, and many employers look for applicants who have prior experience or training.

Prospective dental assistants must work well with people, since they spend a lot of their time working directly with patients.

They must also have strong organizational skills and pay close attention to details.

How Much Do Dental Assistants Make?

The average dental assistant salary is between $27,000 and $32,000 yearly.

The rate of pay is most often dependent on years of training or experience, skill level, and education.

While a dental assistant who learned all of his or her skills on-the-job may start out earning only $27,000, the dental assistant who spends several years learning the tools of the trade and who demonstrates a strong understanding of the job may start out earning $29,000.

Dental assistant careers are expected to be widely available in the coming years as more and more people require dental care.

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