Years ago, many people lost their teeth to poor oral health care and lack of modern cavity fighting methods. Today, however, advances in dental care have made it possible for most people to keep their teeth throughout their lives. Proper dental care includes the use of dental floss and fluoride tooth paste to help prevent tooth decay, as well as regular visits to the dentist.

As the population continues to grow, dentists are less able, by themselves, to perform all of the tasks required in dental treatment. Most dentists employ dental assistants to perform routine office, laboratory, preparation, and patient care tasks. They increase the time and attention dentists can give to patients, leaving the dentists free to devote more of their time to the special tasks only they can do.

What Is A Dental Assistant?

Dental assistants assist dentists during examination and treatment of patients. They perform chair-side, office, and laboratory duties under the supervision of dentists.

In chair-side assisting, dental assistants prepare the patients for treatment. They get the patient’s dental records from the file. They seat and put a towel on the patient, prepare instrument trays for dental procedures, and sterilize and disinfect the instruments and equipment. They may offer the patient reassurance and information that can ease the patient’s fears about the dental treatment.

They help the dentist during treatment by handing the dentist the correct instruments and materials, and keep the patient’s mouth free of debris. They use a suction device to keep the patient’s mouth dry. During this time the assistant will prepare filling mixtures and cements and hand them to the dentist. Many dental assistants are also expected to prepare materials used for making impressions of the teeth and to expose and process dental X-ray films.

In some practices dental assistants also perform office management work. They answer the telephone, coordinate appointment schedules, set up payment plans, process insurance payment claims and order supplies.

Skills Needed

Dental assistants should be people-oriented and have a desire to serve others. A pleasant manner, tact, and friendliness will help them meet people and put them at ease. They should be patient and understanding with patients nervous about dental treatment.

Assistants should be able to work quickly and skillfully. Manual dexterity is essential to success in this type of position. They should have organizational skills in order to keep office records in order. They should also be able to anticipate the needs of the dentist, should be able to think quickly, and should be able to follow instructions exactly.

Dollars and Cents

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants earned an average of $14.53 an hour ($30,222 a year) in 2006. Overall, wages ranged anywhere from less than $9.87 an hour ($20,529 a year) to more than $20.69 an hour ($43,035 a year). Midrange earnings fell between $11.94 and $17.44 an hour ($24,835 and $36,275 a year).

Education and Training

There are a number of different training methods for dental assistants. Many learn their skills on the job. Others are trained in dental assisting programs in private vocational schools, community and junior colleges, technical schools, trade schools, or the Armed Forces.

There are over 200 dental assisting programs approved by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation (CDA). Most training programs take nine to eleven months to complete, and lead to a certificate or diploma. Two-year programs offered in community or junior colleges may lead to an associate degree. Some private vocational schools offer four-month to six-month courses in dental assisting, but these are not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Graduates of CDA-accredited dental assisting programs can perform a broader range of duties and have a better chance of getting higher-paying jobs.

Certifications and Licenses

Most states require dental assistants to be certified through the Dental Assisting National Board. Those wishing to be certified must graduate from an accredited training program or have two years of full-time experience working as a dental assistant. Individuals must also pass a written certification exam and a course in CPR.

Career Outlook

As one of the fastest growing occupations, the outlook for skilled dental assistants is excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of dental assistants to grow by 29 percent through the year 2016. In fact, the current demand for certified dental assistants is greater than the supply.

An additional 75,000 positions are also expected to open due to replacement needs. Each year many assistants leave the field to return to school, take on family responsibilities, transfer to another occupation, or retire. Qualified dental assistants should have little trouble finding a job. Most positions will be for beginning dental assistants, and will offer on-the-job training.

Employers

Dental assistants may find full or part-time employment throughout the country in a variety of settings including:

• solo dental practices (practices with only one dentist)
• group practices (practices with two or more dentists)
• specialty practices, such as:
  • oral and maxillofacial surgery
    (removal of teeth and correction of facial deformities)
  • orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics
    (straightening teeth with braces or other appliances)
  • endodontics (root canal treatment)
  • periodontics (treatment of gum problems)
  • prosthodontics (replacement of lost teeth)
  • pediatric dentistry (treatment of children)
• public health dentistry, including schools and clinics which focus on the prevention of dental problems within entire communities
• hospital dental clinics, assisting dentists in the treatment of bedridden patients
• dental school clinics, assisting dental students as they learn to perform dental procedures
• insurance companies, processing dental insurance claims
• vocational schools, technical institutes, community colleges, dental schools and universities, teaching others to be dental assistants (which may require associate or baccalaureate college degrees)
• dental product sales representatives

Moving Up

Experienced dental assistants may advance by going to work for a larger dental office or clinic. There they may take on more responsibility and earn more money. They may supervise other assistants or become the dental office manager.

Some assistants go back to school and enroll in a dental hygiene program and become licensed, registered dental hygienists. Some choose to enter another allied health profession, such as radiography. They may go to work for an insurance company processing dental insurance claims or take sales jobs with firms that make dental products.

Getting Started

1. If you are still in high school and considering becoming a dental assistant, take classes in biology, chemistry, math, and health. A knowledge of business office practices and good computer skills are becoming essential in most dental assistant work.
2. Interview someone in your area who works as a dental assistant. Tape record your conversation or jot down the points you find most interesting.
3. “Job Shadow” a dental assistant who performs office management duties. In job shadowing, you ask permission to watch the person at work and take notes on the jobs done.
4. Consider volunteering at local health fairs and clinics. It is a good way for people to get to know you.

Getting Work

1. Become a certified dental assistant even if your state does not require certification. This will give you an edge above other applicants.
2. If you go through an accredited training program, contact the job placement office for job openings.
3. Send your resume and cover letter to dental practices and dental clinics. Remember to ask that your resume be kept on file if there are no current openings.
4. Job openings are often advertised in the classified section of newspapers under headings including “Dental Assistant”, “Dental Clinic,” or “Dental Office.”
5. Check out job opportunities online. Start at some of the more popular sites such as Monster and Career Builder.
6. Continue your education. This will help make you more marketable and enable you to earn a higher salary.

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