Q: Can you become a dental assistant online?

Yes, you can become a dental assistant online. These programs are typically not seen as prestigiously as other programs, and you may not have as many options available when searching for jobs post-graduation.

Q: Do dental assistants get paid well?

Yes, dental assistants get paid well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the 2020 annual average salary for dental assistants at just over $40,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the 2020 average annual salary for all medical assistants at just over $35,000. So, dental assistants get paid, on average, more than their industry counterparts.

Q: Is becoming a dental assistant easy?

Yes, becoming a dental assistant is fairly easy. Though, educational requirements and increased competition make it harder than it used to be. It used to be common to start work as a dental assistant straight out of high school. While this is still possible, it is no longer the norm.

Q: Is being a dental assistant a stressful job?

No, being a dental assistant is not a stressful job. The job of a dental assistant can be fast-paced and requires multitasking, but it is overall not very difficult or stressful. A 2020 U.S. News report rated the stress of being a dental assistant as average.

Q: Is it good to be a dental assistant?

Yes, it can be good to be a dental assistant. Reports of job satisfaction vary greatly across the profession. Dental assistants working in smaller practices with higher pay report the highest levels of job satisfaction.

Q: What is the dress code for a dental assistant?

The dress code for a dental assistant is typically scrubs. In addition to clothing, dental assistants should also follow regulations involving safety gear and practicality. Scrubs are the attire worn by the vast majority of dental assistants. The uniform is both comfortable to work in and identifies the assistant as part of the dental team interacting with patients. Additionally, the uniforms can be worn at home and cleaned or changed on-site and cleaned professionally.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a Dental Assistant?

Accepted Answer

It takes 2 years of professional experience to become a dental assistant. That is the time it takes to learn specific dental assistant skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Question 2

Can you become a dental assistant online?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can become a dental assistant online. These programs are typically not seen as prestigiously as other programs, and you may not have as many options available when searching for jobs post-graduation.

Question 3

Do dental assistants get paid well?

Accepted Answer

Yes, dental assistants get paid well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the 2020 annual average salary for dental assistants at just over $40,000.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the 2020 average annual salary for all medical assistants at just over $35,000. So, dental assistants get paid, on average, more than their industry counterparts.

Question 4

Is a dental assistant the same as a dental hygienist?

Accepted Answer

No, a dental assistant is not the same as a dental hygienist. In general, a dental assistant provides aid directly to dentists during routine procedures and may be authorized to take x-rays or perform small procedures under supervision. In contrast, a dental hygienist works directly with patients performing teeth cleanings and oral examinations with minimal or no supervision.

Question 5

Is becoming a dental assistant easy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, becoming a dental assistant is fairly easy. Though, educational requirements and increased competition make it harder than it used to be.

It used to be common to start work as a dental assistant straight out of high school. While this is still possible, it is no longer the norm.

Question 6

Is becoming a dental assistant worth it?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

Is being a dental assistant a stressful job?

Accepted Answer

No, being a dental assistant is not a stressful job. The job of a dental assistant can be fast-paced and requires multitasking, but it is overall not very difficult or stressful. A 2020 U.S. News report rated the stress of being a dental assistant as average.

Question 8

Is it good to be a dental assistant?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it can be good to be a dental assistant. Reports of job satisfaction vary greatly across the profession. Dental assistants working in smaller practices with higher pay report the highest levels of job satisfaction.

Question 9

On-the-job dental assistant training

Accepted Answer

On-the-job dental assistant training can be high-stress and take place in fast-paced environments. It is important to be highly motivated in your career and confident in your foundational skills when doing on-the-job dental assistant training.

Question 10

What are the steps to becoming a dental assistant?

Accepted Answer

The steps to becoming a dental assistant vary, depending on state requirements.

In states without educational requirements, the steps are:

Receive a high school diploma or equivalent.
Pass a licensing exam.
Start work as a dental assistant.

Question 11

What is the dress code for a dental assistant?

Accepted Answer

The dress code for a dental assistant is typically scrubs.In addition to clothing, dental assistants should also follow regulations involving safety gear and practicality.

Scrubs are the attire worn by the vast majority of dental assistants. The uniform is both comfortable to work in and identifies the assistant as part of the dental team interacting with patients. Additionally, the uniforms can be worn at home and cleaned or changed on-site and cleaned professionally.

Question 12

What is a good starting salary for a Dental Assistant?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a dental assistant is $29,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a dental assistant in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for dental assistants is $39,946, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a dental assistant can vary by state.

Question 13

How much do dental assistants make an hour?

Accepted Answer

Dental assistants make an average of roughly $20 an hour, with reported ranges from $17 to $21 per hour.

Question 14

What benefits do dental assistants get?

Accepted Answer

Dental assistants receive a wide variety of benefits, including health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, flexible scheduling, and many others. These benefits are typically reserved for dental assistants that work full-time for a specific company or private dental practice.

Question 15

Who are the highest-paid dental assistants?

Accepted Answer

The highest-paid dental assistants have a Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certification and industry experience.

Dental assistants in Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Alaska are the highest paid in the United States, according to Forbes (2020). Dental assistants working in pediatrics and oral surgery also report some of the highest salaries.

Question 16

Can a dental assistant make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a dental assistant. While possible, it is unlikely to earn over $100k as a dental assistant because even higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $53,000 per year. The average annual salary for a dental assistant is $39,946.

Question 17

Can I be a dental assistant with no experience?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can be a dental assistant with no experience. In states without specific educational requirements, you can technically be a dental assistant without any education or experience.

Question 18

Do you make good money as a dental assistant?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not make good money as a dental assistant. However, dental assistants get paid well compared to other medical assistant professions and workers with only a high school degree, making an annual average salary of $40,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020).

Question 19

Is a dentist assistant a good job?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a dental assistant is a good job. Typically it only takes a year or less to become a dental assistant, and it's a great start to a career in dentistry. And only after a few years of working, dental assistants are in a great position to become dental assisting instructors or dental office managers.

Question 20

What are the qualifications for a dental assistant?

Accepted Answer

The qualifications for a dental assistant are graduation from an accredited dental assisting school, a certain number of clinical work experience hours, and obtaining certification.

All aspiring dental assistants should attend and graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program. They also must gain a certain amount of clinical experience in order to gain certification. This varies state by state but is generally around 3500 hours.

Question 21

What are the qualifications of an entry-level dental assistant?

Accepted Answer

To qualify to be a dental assistant, you need to graduate from an accredited dental assisting program. These are completed at a community college or a technical school. Some states do not require dental assistants to have any educational training, but training can be beneficial for learning the skills necessary to be a dental assistant.

In the educational programs, aspiring dental assistants will complete coursework that includes both classroom and hands-on clinical training. If you are seeking even more hands-on experience, you may choose to pursue an externship. Externships can provide invaluable real-work experience and training.

Certification and licensing requirements vary by state. Most requirements include passing the Dental Assistant National Board Exam, after which you can begin working. Some dental assistants may choose to get specialized training in one specific area such as pediatric dentistry or oral maxillofacial surgery, which requires more certification.

Question 22

What percentage of Dental Assistants are female?

Accepted Answer

86.4% of dental assistants are female in the United States. This is -1.1 percentage points lower than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female dental assistants has decreased by -4.6 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 302,673 female dental assistants in the U.S. and 47,644 male dental assistants in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 350,317 people with the specific job title of dental assistant and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 23

What are four essential skills of a dental assistant?

Accepted Answer

Four essential skills of a dental assistant include technical skills, people skills, communication skills, and administrative skills. All four of these skill sets are necessary for dental assistants to succeed in their position.

Question 24

What are ten duties of a dental assistant?

Accepted Answer

Ten duties of a dental assistant all revolve around providing assistance to the attending dentist. Dental assistants provide patient care and chair-side support as dentists complete exams and procedures.

Question 25

What should a dental assistant put on their resume?

Accepted Answer

A dental assistant's resume should focus on highlighting the relevant skills and experience in professional dental roles. Additionally, it will be important to note any certifications earned that are relevant to your future career goals.

Question 26

Can a dental assistant clean teeth?

Accepted Answer

No, a dental assistant is not permitted to clean teeth. Dental assistants are not trained to clean teeth.

Dental assistants are only allowed to assist the dentist and the dental hygienists under direct supervision. Dental assistants primarily give aid in routine procedures. They may take dental impressions, prepare patients for procedures, and handle the suction and rinsing during a procedure. They are also able to take x-rays. Daily clinical duties may also include equipment preparation and sterilization.

This is different from a hygienist who can do all of the above but can also work independently to perform cleanings, exams, and gum treatments, and instruct on overall dental health. They can also make specialist referrals.

Dental assistants must obtain a certification, while hygienists complete an associate's degree. However, hygienists on average make almost double what an assistant makes annually.

Question 27

Do dental assistants make good money?

Accepted Answer

Yes, dental assistants make good money. The average annual salary of a dental assistant in the United States ranges between $37,440 and $48,190. This is great money considering it only takes nine months to two years to become a dental assistant.

Question 28

What are the pros and cons of being a dental assistant?

Accepted Answer

There are several pros and cons to being a dental assistant; pros include a short training time and a good salary, while cons include a low level of autonomy and uncomfortable working conditions.

Here is a more detailed list of the pros and cons associated with being a dental assistant:

Pros:

Short training time. Dental assistant programs take one to two years to complete. Those earning a certificate can enroll in an independent one-year program, while those choosing to earn an associate's degree should expect their training to last two years. Many candidates participate in an externship which places them in a working office prior to the end of their training.
Low stress. Dental assistants experience much lower levels of stress than others working in medical professions. There are few surprises in the workday of a dental assistant. Appointments are scheduled so that you are seeing only several patients per hour. The tasks that you perform are very similar from day to day resulting in familiar working conditions.
Salary. Earning potential for dental assistants range depending on years of experience. The average dental assistant earns $62,000 per year. This is $10,000 above the national average salary of those with an associate's degree. Experienced dental assistants working in the field for ten years earn an average of $86,000 annually.

Cons:

Little autonomy. Dental assistants carry out tasks given by dentists. These tasks can be repetitive and are always dictated by a dental professional. There are very few opportunities to work independently as a dental assistant.
Uncomfortable working conditions. Dental offices tend to be confined spaces with assistants and dentists working together. Dental assistants are exposed to various pathogens and unpleasant sights and odors while working in such close proximity to patients' mouths. You may also suffer discomfort in your back and neck from being in the same position for long periods of time.
Minimal challenge. Many of the tasks carried out by a dental assistant are repetitive, so your daily routine may lack challenge. There is little room for advancement within the profession. Unless you are willing to take additional coursework and training to perhaps work in an oral surgery center, a career as a dental assistant is grounded in completing routine tasks.

Question 29

What does a dental assistant do on a daily basis?

Accepted Answer

A dental assistant performs patient assessments, cleans patients' teeth, and informs patients of their dental status on a daily basis. Here are some details on the daily activities of a dental assistant:

Frequently asked questions about dental assistants

Questions about becoming a dental assistant