Training and Education

Dentists are increasingly demanding that their assistant’s complete a dental assistant program before hiring them. In addition, many states do have regulations in place that severely limit the duties a dental assistant can perform if he or she has not completed coursework. There are many opportunities available for receiving dental assistant training, including through community colleges, junior colleges, technical institutes, and trade schools.

According to the Commission on Dental Accreditation, there were 265 approved training programs in 2005 for becoming a dental assistant. These dental assistant programs offer coursework in areas such as laboratory instruction, dental assisting skills, and preclinical instruction. The majority of these dental assistant programs take just one year or less to complete, though two year programs leading to an associate degree are also available.

Job Description

The duties of a dental assistant can vary from one dentist office to the next. For the most part, however, the duties are much the same. These duties include caring for patients by preparing them for treatment, making them possible in the dental chair, and obtaining medical records. A dental assistant may also hand materials and instruments to the dentist during procedures and keep the patient’s mouth clear and dry. Other duties of the dental assistant may include disinfecting instruments, prepping the instruments and trays, and providing the patient instructions for proper oral care.

Depending on the level of education and state regulations, a dental assistant may also take dental x-rays and process the film. He or she might also apply anesthetic to the gums or apply cavity-preventive coatings to the patient’s teeth. The dental assistant might also remove sutures and remove the excess cement created when filling cavities.

A dental assistant may also help in the office. In this case, he or she will perform duties such as scheduling and confirming appointments, sending bills, receiving payments, keeping treatment records accurate and up to date, and ordering supplies.

Salary and Job Outlook

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities in the dental assistant field are expected to grow faster than the average occupation. This is partly because of the growing awareness surrounding oral care and the increase in insurance coverage in this area of health care.

The Bureau reports that the median hourly wage for a dental assistant in 2004 was $13.62. Those on the high end of the scale earned nearly $20 per hour.

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