Is becoming a dental assistant worth it?

Yes, becoming a dental assistant is worth it. Here are the top reasons why this is the case:

• Being a dental assistant is a good job. Being a dental assistant is a good job. It is a career with good stability and opportunities for growth. The work life of a dental assistant is also predictable regarding scheduling.

  They normally work traditional office hours of 9 AM to 5 PM, giving them plenty of time to devote to their families, friends, hobbies, studies, or other recreational activities.

• Minimal education. Typically, it only takes a year or less to become a dental assistant, and it's a great start to a career in dentistry. After a few years of working, dental assistants are in a great position to become dental assisting instructors or dental office managers.

• You can go on to become a dentist. Being a dental assistant is an excellent foundation for people looking to continue their education in dentistry and become a dental hygienist or even a dentist.

  Dentists earn very high salaries and can have great work lives, especially if they open a private practice. Starting as a dental assistant is one step in this direction.

• Working with people and interesting tasks and responsibilities. Dental assistants can interact with many people daily, making it a very social job.

  Dental assistants also have a variety of responsibilities, helping avoid monotony. Tasks include assisting dentists with procedures, processing X-rays, maintaining patient records, and scheduling appointments.

• In-demand. Dental assistants are needed everywhere, so they don't feel tied down to one particular town, city, or state and are free to move where they wish.

  The career of dental assisting is also expected to grow 19% through 2026, so those with dental assistant diplomas can be picky about where they want to work.

• Good compensation and employee benefits. Most dental assistants receive medical insurance, paid holidays, paid sick leave, and free dental care. The average salary of a dental assistant is $41,153 per year. Considering it takes a year or less of training to become a dental assistant, this is a great salary.