Career Tips & Advice

What You Need to Know About Dental Assisting

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated March 17, 2015. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
Dental Assistant Career Outlook

Are you interested in a career in dental assisting but want to know more about the field before you commit to something long term? Sounds reasonable. Read on to find out what a career in dental assisting looks like as well as salary averages, certification/licensure requirements and the basics of dental assisting training.

What do dental assistants do?

Dental assistants have many tasks, ranging from providing patient care and taking X-rays to recordkeeping and scheduling appointments. Their duties vary by state and by the dental offices where they work. Some of their tasks may include:

  • Scheduling appointments for patients
  • Maintaining patient records
  • Assisting dentists with procedures
  • Processing X-rays
  • Sterilizing dental equipment
  • Instructing patients on proper dental hygiene

What is the work environment like?

Dental assistants may work with dental hygienists and/or dental laboratory technicians. They work in private dental offices, dental schools, hospitals, clinics, and public health settings. Job duties and career settings in this field may vary, but work environments are engaging as you are able to interact with both patients and coworkers.

On a typical day, a dental assistant who performs laboratory duties may:

  • Make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions
  • Clean and polish removable appliances
  • Make temporary crowns

On a typical day, a dental assistant who performs office duties may:

  • Schedule and confirm appointments
  • Receive patients
  • Keep treatment records
  • Send bills and receive payments
  • Order supplies and materials

Career outlook and annual salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for dental assistants is expected to grow 25% from 2012 to 2022.* Because of ongoing research that links oral health to overall general health, the demand for preventive dental services will continue to grow.

In May 2012, the median annual wage for dental assistants was $34,500. However, salaries vary depending on your region.

What do you learn during dental assistant training?

Throughout dental assisting training, you can have the opportunity to learn varied tasks, including:

  • Vital sign checks
  • CPR
  • Instrument sterilization and prep
  • Oral inspections
  • X-rays
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Patient education
  • Scheduling
  • Patient charts
  • Records and supply maintenance
  • Accounts payable and fee collections
  • Insurance forms

What licensing or certifications are required?

Dental assistant certifications and licensing vary by state. Most states restrict the procedures a dental assistant can perform, and some require dental assistants to graduate from a dental assisting program and pass a licensing exam. Professional certification is also available through the Dental Assisting National Board and is recognized in most states.

*www.bls.gov/ooh/Healthcare/Dental-assistants.htm

dental assisting career outlook

Take The Next Step Towards a Brighter Future

Interested in learning more about our Dental Assistant program? We have a Concorde representative ready to talk about what matters most to you. Get answers about start dates, curriculum, financial aid, scholarships and more!

  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.