Are you looking for dental assistant programs? Are you like other typical dental assistants, intrigued by dentistry but prefer a job that permits you to move around while performing your work?
What is a Dental Assistant?
What a dental assistant might do may vary a bit state by state, and depending on the dentists’ offices where they work, they generally perform tasks such as taking x-rays, scheduling appointments, and recordkeeping. Dental assistants wear protective clothing, safety masks, surgical masks, and gloves to protect themselves and patients, along with following safety protocols.
What is the job description for a dental assistant?
A dental assistant carries out various work related assignments like:
- Maintaining dental records
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Handing dentists instruments during procedures
- Instructing patients in dental hygiene
- Working with patients on billing and payment
- Preparing the work area for patient treatment
- Ordering and monitoring dental supplies and equipment inventory
What is the salary potential of a dental assistant?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2020 median dental assistant salary is $41,180 per year. And, the states with the highest employment levels within this occupation according to the BLS are: California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.
Where do dental assistants work?
The BLS states that dental assistant jobs are in dentists’ offices often under the supervision of dentists. They also might work with dental hygienists throughout the day.
What dental assistant courses will I need to take?
Most dental assistant programs will typically take classes like these during their time as a student:
- Preventive Dentistry
- Dental Office Administration
- Fundamentals of Dentistry
- Dental Pharmacology
- Dental Radiography
- Restorative Dental Procedures
Top 14 Schools With Dental Assistant Programs
The dental assistant programs below are ranked according to total number of graduates reported by NCES in the 2018 school year. Salary information provided by College Scorecard.
Carrington College-Sacramento
This is an accredited dental assisting program that can be completed in nine months.
Associate
$60,264 (AAS)
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia
This is a fully accredited program that can be completed in 11 months.
Associate
$66,150 (AAS)
Ivy Tech Community College
This is a two year fully accredited program.
Associate
$46,087 (AAS)
American Career College-Los Angeles
This a fully accredited program that can be completed in 10 months.
Texas State Technical College
This is a two year fully accredited program.
Associate
$50,439 (AAS)
Ozarks Technical Community College
This is a two year fully accredited program.
Associate
$38,721 (AAS)
Pima Medical Institute-Denver
This is a nine month fully accredited program.
Associate
N/A (AAS)
Kirkwood Community College
This is a two year fully accredited program.
Associate
$35,772 (AAS)
American Career College-Ontario
This a fully accredited program that can be completed in 10 months.
ECPI University
This is an accredited two year program.
Midwest Institute
This is a hands on accredited program.
Associate
N/A (AAS)
The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest
This is a 35 week fully accredited program.
Associate
N/A (AAS)
American Career College-Anaheim
This a fully accredited program that can be completed in 10 months.
Washtenaw Community College
This is a three semester program that is fully accredited.
How can you pursue a career as a dental assistant?
While the requirements on how to become a dental assistant may vary state to state, according to the BLS, it may generally be a good idea to obtain postsecondary training in dental assisting if you are thinking about pursuing a career as a dental assistant. Some states require dental assistants to graduate from an accredited program and pass a state test.
Many times, these accredited programs are offered at community colleges and only take about a year to complete. Two year programs, also available at community colleges, are less common and usually lead to earning an associate’s degree.
Accredited programs typically include hands-on laboratory work, along with classroom activities. Students study gums, teeth, jaws, dental instruments, and other areas dentists work on. Supervised experience is included, too.
If becoming a dental assistant not for you, but you still want a career in allied health – explore other careers.