Dental Assistant

The role of the dental assistant is to provide support for the dentist. This entails various tasks, including assisting during treatment of patients, handling of instruments, keeping the patient comfortable and calm, preparing the patient and the room for the patient, and cleaning up after the patient leaves. They also perform vital functions like sterilizing instruments, and may also be responsible for clerical duties such as paperwork, billing and reception in smaller clinics.

Education and Credentials Required
Dental assistants prepare for their career by taking a course in college or dental vocational school, either earning a one-year diploma or a two-year associates’ degree. The student thereby acquires the knowledge of health and dental procedures that form the foundation of their career, as well as gaining some valuable field experience through volunteering at dental practices to fulfill their graduation requirements.

Licensing policy varies from state to state, as well as the tasks an assistant is allowed to do. Some states require additional training and exams In order to perform tasks such as taking x-rays.

Future Prospects
Employment opportunities for dental assistants are expected to rise much more quickly than average. Dental assistants are performing more and more of the tasks typically performed by dentists, as part of the general industry-wide drive to keep costs down. Given a general increase in demand for dental care, this makes the dental assistant one of the fastest growing careers, and opportunities will abound.

Salary Range
Median earnings for dental assistants were approximately $26,000 as of 2002. Dental assistants can earn as much as $38,000. Experience, location, skill, reputation, hours worked and other factors impact income. Pay is typically in relation to whether a dental assistant is full time or part time, and whether they work in a clinic, a practice or a hospital.