Guide to Dental Assisting career paths

Industry info, training requirements, and employment outlook for dental assistant students

Dental assistants are qualified individuals who provide patient care and support as dentists perform procedures and routine exams. They are an integral part of the dental team; they work alongside dental hygienists and under the supervision of dentists to help treat patients. The duties that they perform are generally the same everywhere, but they may vary a little bit depending on the size of the clinic they work at, the certifications they have, and the state they work in. They perform both clinical and administrative duties. Dental assistants also have the ability to use their knowledge and experience to branch out into other careers later down the road, if they choose. For example, they can become officer managers, dental sales representatives, instructors, lab technologists, dental hygienists, and even dentists.

Duties

Dental assistants perform many different tasks throughout the day. For the most part, the core of what they do is the same everywhere, but depending on the office that they work at, their duties may vary a little bit. Most of their day is spent with patients and dentists. They perform clinical duties, such as helping dentists during procedures and processing x-rays. If they work in a smaller office, they will also be responsible for some administrative duties, such as documenting patient information into the computer systems and scheduling appointments.

Some duties are performed only by dental assistants who have specialized training or certificates. For example, some are trained to take x-rays or prepare materials for temporary crowns. When doing these tasks, they would be working under the direction of a dentist.

The duties of a dental assistant may also vary a little bit depending on the state that they work in. Some states allow dental assistants to perform tasks such as removing stains from the teeth or applying fluoride, and others don’t.

Traits

Being a good dental assistant requires an individual to have certain traits and characteristics. The dental assistants who thrive and have the most success in the occupation tend to be the ones who embody the following traits

Ability to manage multiple things at once

Dental assistants will generally have to balance multiple things at once. You will go back and forth between preparing examination rooms, answering phone calls, and working with dentists to assist them in treating patients. Juggling multiple tasks in a short span of time, or even all at the same time, is something that you will be doing while working as a dental assistant. If you get stressed out easily in a busy environment, then doing some research on dental assisting, or even shadowing a dental assistant for a day, would help you determine if it is the right career for you.

Strong communication skills

Having strong communication skills as a dental assistant is really important because you will have to communicate with patients about what you are doing. This verbiage will include a lot of dental terms, but you need to translate it in a way that anybody can understand. Constantly communicating and letting them know what you are doing will put them at ease. This is especially the case for kids, who tend to be more scared when going to the dentist.

Compassionate

Being compassionate is really important no matter what you are doing, but it is especially important when working as a dental assistant because people who come into the dental office are sometimes in pain or scared. While working in someone’s mouth, you need to not only be careful to not hurt the patient, but it is also your job to make the patient comfortable. Part of making patients comfortable means being compassionate and kind to them.

Professionalism

Being professional is highly expected. The way that dental assistants interact with patients is also a representation of the clinic. Moreover, part of being professional means being reliable. Showing up to work on time is crucial because dental offices, especially smaller clinics, need the entire team in order to do their jobs efficiently. Like every job, the dental assisting profession will come with a lot of expectations and pressure at times. Being able to carry yourself professionally at all times will help you succeed in the field.

Passionate

Caring about what you do is important because the passion is the driving force behind the success of the organization and you as a professional. Moreover, passion also helps build a positive attitude toward work. The dental assisting profession focuses on helping people be more confident about their smiles and freeing them from any pain that they may have. Although it is a great industry to be in, dental assisting is not for everyone. There are a lot of expectations that come along with the job. Doing some research on the industry and evaluating if it would be a good fit for you will help you make sure that you are going into the right industry.

Team player

As a dental assistant, you will be working on a team the majority of the time, whether it is with dentists, assistants, or other staff members. At times you will be working alone; however, you will thrive more in this profession if you do enjoy working and interacting with other people.

Dexterity

Because dental assistants are constantly working with their hands, it will be to your benefit if you are good at working with your hands. Most of their day-to-day activities require them to use precise tools and instruments while working in patients’ mouths.

Working Conditions

Most dental assistants work full time. Some may even work on the weekends or in the evenings, depending on the office that they work at. They typically work alongside dental hygienists and under the supervision of dentists.

As for the physical working conditions, they work in a clean and well-maintained environment. They also sit down for the majority of the day, as they assist the dentist with an operation or exam.

Although having a career as a dental assistant can be very rewarding and lucrative, there are some downsides to the profession as well. For example, dental assistants are at risk for catching bloodborne pathogens and diseases. Because they work in such close proximity to patients, they always follow safety procedures to minimize their risk of catching anything. They wear gloves, masks, eyewear, and special clothing to protect themselves and those that they work with.

Some of the settings where dental assistants work include

• Hospitals
• Private dental offices
• Educational institutions
• Public health facilities
• Insurance companies
• Dental suppliers
• Military grounds

Academic Requirements

The educational requirements for becoming a dental assistant vary from state to state. In some states, dental assistant students may need to complete some form of training, and, in other states, licensure and/or a national certification may be required. Most training programs are offered at technical schools, community colleges, universities, or even dental schools. The duration of the programs is dependent upon where you choose to go; however, most of them can be completed in under one year. It also depends on your schedule and whether you choose to enroll in a traditional length program or one that offers accelerated courses.

Once you receive your certificate from an accredited institution, you can take your certification exam, if you choose. Although it is not required, a lot of dental assistants do become nationally certified because it increases their chances of securing a job and even advancing in their career later down the road.

As for the training, dental assistants typically have an externship at the end of their program. If they don’t have an externship, then they will be working closely with licensed dentists before being able to practice on their own.

To find out what the specific requirements would be for you, contact your state’s Board of Dental Examiners.

Pay

The pay for dental assistants depends on several factors, such as where they live, how many years of experience they have, and the clinic that they work at. The median wage for dental assistants is around $40,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2019, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,980, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $56,930.¹

Job Outlook

The job market for dental assistants is stable. Dental assistants are in demand, and the demand for the occupation is projected to continue growing. This is due to the increase in baby boomers retiring and their need for medical care, as well as the new technological advancements and clinics that are emerging. There are a lot of benefits that come along with working as a dental assistant. The profession provides a lot of stability and security. Many employers will offer employees health benefits, pension plans, and even reimbursements for continuing education. Other benefits to working as a dental assistant include that there are many opportunities for career advancement and growth, they have flexible working hours and a good working environment, have good hourly wages, and have the ability to help others in the process.

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1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics