Dental Assistant Jobs work in a variety of settings, including dentists’ offices, dental schools, and hospitals. They play an important role in the dental team, providing support to dentists and hygienists.
Dental assistants typically have a high school diploma or equivalent, and some employers may require an associate’s degree in dental assisting.
About Different Roles
There are several different types of dental assistant roles, including:
- Clinical dental assistant:Â This is the most common type of dental assistant role. Clinical dental assistants provide direct patient care, such as preparing patients for procedures, assisting dentists with procedures, and cleaning and sterilizing equipment.
- Administrative dental assistant:Â Administrative dental assistants perform administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, billing patients, and maintaining patient records.
- Orthodontic assistant:Â Orthodontic assistants work with orthodontists to provide care to patients with braces or other orthodontic appliances.
- Pediatric dental assistant:Â Pediatric dental assistants work with dentists who specialize in treating children.
Position
Dental assistant
What You’ll Do
As a dental assistant, you will:
- Prepare patients for procedures, such as taking vital signs and explaining procedures.
- Assist dentists with procedures, such as handing instruments and suctioning.
- Clean and sterilize equipment.
- Maintain patient records.
- Schedule appointments.
- Bill patients.
- Provide customer service to patients and families.
What You’ll Need
To be a dental assistant, you will need:
- A high school diploma or equivalent.
- Some employers may require an associate’s degree in dental assisting.
- Basic math and science skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to work well under pressure.
- The ability to follow instructions.
What You’ll Receive
As a dental assistant, you can expect to receive:
- A competitive salary.
- Health insurance.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Paid vacation.
- Paid sick leave.
Employment Type
Dental assistants typically work full-time, but part-time positions are also available.
Salary
The salary for Dental Assistant Jobs varies depending on the employer, experience, and location. The median salary for dental assistants in the United States is $36,690 per year.