Dental Assistant

Print

Work Tasks

• Help dentists when they examine and treat a patient
• Make the patients comfortable, get them ready for treatment, and get their dental records
• Hand the dentist tools, sterilize equipment, and set up the tray of tools needed
• May do office tasks and help in the lab
• Work indoors in private dentist offices, for hospitals, for health departments, or for clinics
• Work with surgical instruments, suction tools, filling materials, dental cement, x-ray equipment, lab supplies, and sterilizing solutions

Salary, Size & Growth

• $37,000 average per year ($17.75 per hour)
• A large occupation (294,000 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (3.6% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: On-the-job training
• Employers Prefer: A 2-year degree in dental assisting from a college, trade school, or technical institute
• Skills/Courses: High school students should take courses in biology, chemistry, health, and office practices.
• Certification/Licensing: Certification is available.