Dentist assistants work under the close direction of dentists. They execute a number of functions related to laboratory, office work and patient care.
Dentist Assistants Schools and Degrees
There are 269 dental assisting training programs approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation within the American Dental Association in the U.S. These courses usually last no longer than a year. Upon completion of the course, candidates are awarded a certificate or a diploma degree. The curriculum includes theory and preclinical studies in dental assisting skills. Community and junior colleges offer two year courses and associate’s degrees. Candidates need to have a high school diploma for admission to these courses.
Job Requirements
On the job training is important for a dentist assistant. However, most states control the duties of a dentist assistant. Some states ask for a licensure or registration and may require a dentist assistant to clear a written and practical exam. Other states require the candidates to complete four to twelve hours of education courses approved by the state. Many states require dentist assistants to undergo ongoing education to keep their licenses.
A certification in this profession is an acknowledgement of the competence of the dentist assistant’s competency. A certification is obtainable from the Dental Assisting National Board and is required in more than 30 states. Those who graduate from an ADA accredited education program are able to take this exam. Those who have four years of part time experience or two years of full time experience working as a dentist assistant also qualify.
Dentist assistants work almost as a second pair of hands with the dentist. Therefore, they need to be reliable and need to have good interpersonal relation management skills. Excellent manual dexterity is also an important requirement for a dentist assistant.
Nature of Work
Dental assistants disinfect and sanitize office instruments and keep them in order for dentists to easily access them while treating patients. They acquire the patient’s treatment records and prepare them for treatment. They also take impressions and x-rays and process them according to the dentist’s instructions.
Dentist assistants work for about forty hours a week. Sometimes they work during the evenings or on weekends. They generally need to work in a clean and comfortable environment. They work around the dental chair and organize medication, materials and instruments and give them to the dentists when required. They need to wear gloves, masks and protective clothing for protection from infectious diseases.
Dentist Assistants Jobs and Outlook
According to research in 2006, dentist assistants held about 280,000 jobs in the US. Employment is the highest in the following industries:< /p>
Colleges, Universities and Professional Schools
Federal Executive Branch(OES Designation)
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
Offices of Dentists
Offices of Physicians
The mean hourly wage for dentist assistants in the US is about $15.52, while the mean annual wages are around $32,280.
Job Numbers and Growth
The official count of dentist assistants in 2008 was 280,000. Workers have recently faced a very low level of unemployment. The unemployment rate for employees? About 2% recently.
Area Job Conditions
You'll see a lot of employees in Hanford (California), Hinesville (Georgia), and Pocatello (Idaho), and comparatively fewer in Champaign (Illinois), Montgomery (Alabama), and Dalton (Georgia).
Wages for Dentist assistants are highest in Framingham (Massachusetts), Santa Rosa (California), and Lowell (Massachusetts), and lowest in Florence (Alabama), McAllen (Texas), and Logan (Utah).
Training and Education
Workers normally have moderate-term on-the-job training before landing a job. Degrees are held by 9% of current employees. Post-secondary schooling was enough for 58% of dentist assistants. Education topped out at high school for 34% of workers. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.
Part-Time Work and Self-Employment
Part-time work suffices for 36% of dentist assistants.
Dentist Assistants by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.
Schools recommended for people interested in this career. Request info with quick online forms. These particular schools are noted for getting back to people fast.