Dental Assistant Careers
- What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
- Training and Education for Dental Assistants
- Dental Assistant Salary and Job Outlook
- Find Dental Assistant Schools
Dental Assistant Job Description
Dental Assistants work closely with both dentists and patients. They are responsible for preparing the equipment and prepping the patients for each unique procedure. You will assist the dentist at chair side, as well as perform your own procedures, under the supervision of a dentist. Typical duties of a dental assistant include sterilizing dental instruments and equipment, handing instruments to the dentist during procedures, keeping the patients mouth clear and dry using suction, and counseling the patient on good oral health care practices. Some dental assistants perform other tasks such as dental radiography, reversible intra-oral procedures, removing sutures, and making molds of the teeth and gums from impressions. Outside of the exam room, the duties of a dental assistant include keeping records of items such as exams, appointments, supplies and treatments.
The work schedule for a dental assistant can be very flexible. About half of them work a 35-40 hour work week, however, there are opportunities to work part time and even on Saturdays. One option is to work for multiple offices to help tailor your schedule to fit your lifestyle.
Dental Assistant Education and Training
Many of the skills you need as a dental assistant are learned on the job, however, dental assisting programs are becoming increasingly popular. As dentists look to expand the roles and responsibilities of their dental assistants, they are going to take look for those that have some level of formal training. All dental assisting programs require students to have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Most programs can be completed in one year or less and will include classroom, laboratory, and pre clinical instruction, as well as hands on training.
Dental Assistant Salary and Job Outlook
According the the National Employment Matrix, the average hourly wage for a dental assistant was $14.43 in 2006 and average annual salaries ranged from $20,530 to $43,040 depending upon education, experience and location.
Job opportunities for dental assistants look to be abundant in the coming years. The National Employment Matrix projects that by the year 2016 there will be a need for 362,000 dental assistants. This is a 29% increase in just ten short years. This growth is much faster than the average growth for other occupations. The need for dental assistants is a growing one. In this unstable economy, a dental assistant career can offer security for a long time to come.
Online Dental Assistant Schools
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Asst, Occupational Therapy Aide, Optician, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapy Aide, Veterinary Asst
Dental Assistant Schools by State
Alabama
Campuses: Mobile
Programs:
- Allied Health Mgmt, Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Tech
Campuses: Birmingham
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Health Info Tech, Medical Asst/Medical Asst Specialist, Medical Billing & Coding Specialist, Medical Lab Tech, Paramedic
Arizona
Arizona College of Allied Health:
Campuses: Glendale
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Health Info Specialist, Health IT, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomy
Campuses: Mesa, Phoenix, Tucson
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Massage Therapist, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Mgmt, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapy Asst, Physical Therapy Tech, Respiratory Care, Veterinary Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Lab Tech
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapy Assistant, Respiratory Therapy, Veterinary Asst, Pharm Tech, Physical Therapist Asst
California
Campuses: Antioch, Citrus Heights, Emeryville, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro, Stockton
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Health Care Admin, Health Info Tech, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech, Ultrasound Tech, Veterinary Tech, Dental Assisting, Fitness Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Dental Hygiene
Campuses: Mesa, Phoenix, Tucson
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Massage Therapist, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Mgmt, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapy Asst, Physical Therapy Tech, Respiratory Care, Veterinary Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Lab Tech
Campuses: Alhambra, Anaheim, City of Industry, Gardena, Ontario, Reseda, San Bernadino, San Francisco, San Jose North, Los Angeles
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical/Clinical Admin Asst, Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Medical General, Pharmacy Tech, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Surgical Tech, Medical Lab Tech
Campuses: Concord, Hayward, Salida, Stockton
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Medical Office Admin, Pharmacy Technology, Health Info Tech
Campuses: Fresno, Modesto, Riverside, Sacramento
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Practice Mgmt, Respiratory Care, Therapeutic Health Tech, Health Information Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Coding & Billing, Dental Asst. Medical Asst, Vocational Nursing
Campuses: Pasadena
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Billing, Pharmacy Tech
Campuses: Chula Vista
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Veterinary Asst, Veterinary Tech
Campuses: Bakersfield, Fresno, Visalia,
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Tech, Therapeutic Massage, Clinical Medical Assisting, Health Care Admin, Veterinary Tech
Campuses: Colton
Programs:
- Medical Assistant - Admin, Medical Assistant - Admin and Clinical, Medical Billing & Coding, Dental Assistant
Campuses: Anaheim, Chula Vista, El Monte, Huntington Park, Ontario, San Diego, San Marcos, Van Nuys
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Asst/Tech, Massage Therapy, Medical Billing & Insurance Coding, Pharmacy Tech
Colorado
Campuses: Aurora
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Insurance Coding & Billing, Nursing, Practical Nursing, Radiologic Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Tech
Campuses: Colorado Springs
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding
Campuses: Grand Junction, Pueblo
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Massage Therapist, Medical Asst, Medical Coding & Transcription
Campuses: Colorado Springs, Denver
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical/Clinical Admin Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Veterinary Asst, Veterinary Tech, Expanded Duties Dental Asst, Health Unit Coordinator, Medical Admin Asst, Occupational Therapy Asst, Ophthalmic Medical Tech, Physical Therapist Asst, Respiratory Therapy
Connecticut
Lincoln College of New England:
Campuses: Southington
Programs:
- Dental Hygiene, HIT, Medical Asst, Occupational Therapy Asst
Campuses: Branford, Enfield, Watertown
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Administrative Health
Delaware
Harris School of Business - Wilmington:
Campuses: Wilmington
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Health Claims, Medical Asst, Massage Therapy
Florida
Campuses: Jacksonville, Largo
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Health Care Admin
Campuses: Miami, Orange Park, Winter Park
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Emergency Medical Services, Health Records Tech, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Medical Office Admin, Pharmacy Tech, Aesthetics Skincare, Health Info Tech, Medical X-Ray Tech, Surgical Tech
Campuses: Pensacola
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Assist, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Tech
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Med Assistant, Med Insurance Billing and Coding
Campuses: Tampa
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Assisting with X-Ray Tech (Limited Scope) & EKG
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Health Care Admin
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical/Clinical Lab Asst, Patient Care Technician, Pharmacy Technician, X-Ray
Georgia
Campuses: Norcross
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding
Campuses: Smyrna
Programs:
- Certified Paramedic Training, Dental Asst, EMT, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Medical Office Assistant, Patient Care Tech, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomy, Billing & Coding
Hawaii
Campuses: Honolulu
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Health Info Tech, Medical Office Admin, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Technology
Idaho
Campuses: Boise
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Health Care Admin, Health Care Mgmt, Medical Asst, Occupational Therapy Asst, Surgical Tech, Veterinary Tech
Campuses: Boise
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Dental Hygiene, Massage Therapist, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech
Campuses: Boise
Programs:
- Admin Medical Asst, Dental Asst, Healthcare Billing & Coding, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech
Illinois
Campuses: Burr Ridge, Chicago, Merionette Park, Skokie
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Dental Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding
Campuses: Crystal Lake
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Asst
Illinois School of Health Careers:
Campuses: Chicago
Programs:
- Admin Medical Asst, Dental Asst, Healthcare Billing & Coding, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech
Iowa
Maryland
Campuses: Landover
Programs:
- Biotechnician, Expanded Function Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Billing Coding, Pharmacy Tech
Campuses: Baltimore
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Medical Asst, Medical Office Assistant, Massage Therapy
Massachusetts
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical/Clinical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Dental Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding
Campuses: Canton, Chicopee, Westborough
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Administrative Health
Michigan
Campuses: Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Southfield
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding, Medical/Clinical Admin Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Dental Assisting
Minnesota
Argosy University - Twin Cities:
Campuses: Eagan
Programs:
- Dental Hygienist, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Histotechnology, Medical Asst, Medical Lab Tech, Medical Technology, Radiation Therapy, Radiologic Tech, Veterinary Tech
Mississippi
Campuses: Hattiesburg, Jackson
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Dental Assisting, Health IT, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Medical Coding
Missouri
Campuses: Maryland Heights
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech
Campuses: Hazelwood
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech
Nebraska
Nevada
Campuses: Las Vegas
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech
Campuses: Sparks
Programs:
- Admin Medical Asst, Dental Asst, Health Care Billing & Coding, Massage Therapy, Pharmacy Tech
Campuses: Las Vegas
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Specialist, Phlebotomy
Campuses: Las Vegas
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Veterinary Asst, Respiratory Therapy, Pharmacy Tech, Veterinary Tech
New Hampshire
Campuses: Manchester
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Health Claims Specialist, Massage Therapy, Professional Medical Asst
New Jersey
Campuses: Wayne
Programs:
- Biotechnician, Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Admin, Personal Trainer, Pharmacy Tech
New Mexico
Campuses: Albuquerque
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Mgmt, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapy Asst
Campuses: Albuquerque
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapy Assistant, Resp Therapy, Veterinary Asst
New York
New York School for Medical & Dental Assistants:
Campuses: Long Island City
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst
North Carolina
Ohio
Campuses: Findlay
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Health Info Mgmt, Medical Asst, Medical Lab Asst, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding, Medical Office Admin
Campuses: Akron
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Health Care Admin, Medical Asst, Medical Transcription, Occupational Therapy Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Practical Nursing, Surgical Tech, Vet Tech
Campuses: Gahanna
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech
Campuses: Cincinnati, Cuyahoga Falls
Programs:
- Dental Asst, EMT, Medical Asst, Medical Coding/Billing, Paramedic, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Tech
Campuses: Springboro
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, HIT, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Mgmt
Ohio Institute of Health Careers:
Campuses: Columbus
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Admin Asst
Ohio Valley College of Technology:
Campuses: East Liverpool
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting
Ohio Valley College of Technology:
Campuses: East Liverpool
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting
Remington College - Cleveland West:
Campuses: North Olmstead
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Asst w/X-Ray & EKG, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapist Asst
Oklahoma
Campuses: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City South
Programs:
- Advanced Massage Therapy, Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Massage Therapy, Respiratory Therapy
Oregon
Campuses: Beaverton
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech
Campuses: Portland
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Dental Hygiene, Medical Asst, Medical Asst w/Limited X-Ray, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Vet Asst
Campuses: Portland
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Insurance Coding & Billing, Surgical Tech, Practical Nursing
Pennsylvania
Campuses: Scranton
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Dental Hygiene, Dental Office Coordinator, ECG, Phlebotomy, Lab Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Asst Tech, Massage Therapy, Medical Transcription/Insurance Billing
Campuses: Harrisburg
Programs:
- Dental Assist, Massage Therapy, Medical Assist, Medical Billing & Insurance Coding
Campuses: Monroeville, Trevose
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Admin, Paramedic, Pharmacy Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Tech
Campuses: Erie,
Programs:
- Dental Asst, EMT, EMT & Paramedic Advanced Techniques, Health Info Tech, Medical Asst, Medical Coding, Medical Lap Asst, Medical Records Tech, Medical Transcription, Pharmacy Tech, Radiologic Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Therapeutic Massage
Campuses: Altoona, Capital Region Campus, Lancaster
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Healthcare Administrative Assistant, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Massage Therapy Practitioner, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Respiratory Therapy, Medical Office Asst
Rhode Island
Campuses: Lincoln
Programs:
- Dental, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin / Coding & Billing, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech
South Carolina
Campuses: Columbia
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Admin
Tennessee
Campuses: Nashville
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding
Campuses: Memphis
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Dental Hygiene, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Office Professional, Nurse Aide Training, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Tech, Surgical Tech
Campuses: Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Nashville
Programs:
- Billing & Coding, Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Physical Therapist Asst, Health Care Admin, Massage Therapy, Personal Fitness Training
Campuses: Nashville
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding Specialist, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Practice Mgmt
Miller-Motte Technical College:
Campuses: Chattanooga
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Geriatrics Specialist, Health Information Technology, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Billing and Coding, Surgical Tech
Texas
Campuses: Dallas
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Personal Fitness Trainer, Professional Massage Therapy, Respiratory Therapy
Campuses: Arlington, Dallas, San Antonio
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Insurance Coding & Billing, Medical Asst, Surgical Tech, Vocational Nursing, Surgical Technology
Campuses: Fort Worth, Fort Worth South
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Dental Asst, Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing and Coding, Medical General
Campuses: Austin, Houston-Greenspoint, Houston-Hobby
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Dental Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech
Campuses: Irving
Programs:
- Basic Massage Therapy, Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech
Campuses: Beaumont, Corpus Christi, El Paso, McAllen, Midland
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Practice Mgmt, Insurance Processor, Patient Care Tech, Vocational Nursing, Medical Asst - Clinical/Clerical, Pharmacy Tech, Medical Asst Clinical/Clerical
Campuses: Amarillo
Programs:
- Admin Medical Asst, Dental Asst, Healthcare Billing & Coding, Medical Asst, Pharmacy Tech
Campuses: Houston
Programs:
- Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Radiography, Veterinary Assistant
Campuses: Fort Worth, Houston Southeast, North Houston
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Asst w/X-Ray & EKG, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech
South Texas Vocational Institute:
Campuses: Brownsville, Corpus Christi, McAllen
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Admin Asst Tech, Medical Admin, Nurse Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Professional Massage Therapy, Medical Asst
Campuses: Friendswood, North Houston
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Practice Mgmt
Utah
Campuses: Salt Lake City
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Professional Massage & Bodywork, Professional Fitness Training
Campuses: Salt Lake City
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Medical Office Admin
Campuses: Provo
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Personal Fitness Training, Pharmacy Tech, Therapeutic Massage Tech
Virginia
Campuses: Chesapeake
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Admin Asst, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding, Pharmacy Technician
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Office Admin, Medical Office Specialist, Surgical Tech
Washington
Campuses: Spokane
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Mgmt, Pharmacy Tech, Vet Asst
Campuses: Bremerton, Everett, Renton, Tacoma
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Medical Admin Asst, Professional Licensing - Aromatherapy & Spa Specialist
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Occupational Therapy Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Radiographer, Respiratory Therapy, Veterinary Asst, Veterinary Tech, Physical Therapy Asst
West Virginia
Campuses: Bridgeport, Charleston
Programs:
- Dental Assisting, Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Medical Administration, Dental Assistant, Medical Secretarial, Office Technology
British Columbia
Campuses: Spokane
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Billing & Coding, Medical Office Mgmt, Pharmacy Tech, Vet Asst
Campuses: Bremerton, Everett, Renton, Tacoma
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Massage Therapy, Medical Asst, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Medical Admin Asst, Professional Licensing - Aromatherapy & Spa Specialist
Programs:
- Dental Asst, Medical Asst, Occupational Therapy Asst, Pharmacy Tech, Radiographer, Respiratory Therapy, Veterinary Asst, Veterinary Tech, Physical Therapy Asst