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Job outlook for dental nurses in the United States
Are dental nurse jobs in demand?
Dental nurse job and salary trends over time
Dental nurse jobs over time
Dental nurse job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 276 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 248 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 280 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 272 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 268 | 0.00% |
Average dental nurse salary over time
Dental nurse salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $81,113 | $39.00 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $78,946 | $37.95 | +3.7% |
| 2023 | $76,149 | $36.61 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $74,120 | $35.63 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $72,761 | $34.98 | +2.7% |
Dental nurse jobs by state
Most common states for dental nurses
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 116 | 13% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 127 | 12% |
| 3 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 212 | 10% |
| 4 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 541 | 7% |
| 5 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 633 | 6% |
| 6 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 415 | 6% |
| 7 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 407 | 6% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 48 | 6% |
| 9 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 1,015 | 5% |
| 10 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 296 | 5% |
| 11 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 276 | 5% |
| 12 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 276 | 5% |
| 13 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 36 | 5% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 35 | 5% |
| 15 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 31 | 5% |
| 16 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 247 | 4% |
| 17 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 167 | 4% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 104 | 4% |
| 19 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 60 | 4% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 55 | 4% |
Most common cities for dental nurses
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland | 3 | 1% | $85,199 |
Dental Nurse job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of dental nurse experts
University of Wyoming
New York University
University of Detroit Mercy
Farmingdale State College
Daniela Taranto
What general advice would you give to a Dental Nurse?
Daniela Taranto: Generally dental assistants like the gratification in helping patients. In calming the anxious child, putting a smile of a lonely geriatric patient's face, listening to their family stories, gaining essentially a stranger's trust and helping them feel safe in what can be a scary environment for them. What they may dislike is some dental specialties such as oral surgery may be more graphic than others, and not everyone can withstand the occasional gore that accompanies a difficult extraction or surgery. So, knowing yourself and your own limits is important when selecting what type of practice, you may consider working in.
What will help Dental Nurses increase their earning potential?
Daniela Taranto: A Dental Assistants responsibility can vary by state, or by certifications earned. But in general, they include preparing dental operatories for a wide range of dental procedures including Composite restorations (fillings), Endodontic procedures (root canals), surgical procedures including extractions and dental implants, Periodontal procedures including dental cleanings, and deeper scaling and root planing, Prosthetic/Cosmetic dental work including crowns, bridges, dentures, or cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening or veneers. Once the DA has prepared the operatory, they stay and work directly with the dentist using four-handed dentistry to facilitate an efficient and effective workflow. In addition to having extensive knowledge on these procedures and their armamentaria, DA's are often responsible for adhering to a high level of infection control procedures. Preparing instruments for sterilization and operating the varying machines that are used to achieve that is also part of the DAs daily responsibilities. Furthermore, dental assistants are also trained in a variety of dental materials. They can mix and prepare cements, alginates, and other impression materials. New technology offers dental assistants to obtain digital scans of patients' oral cavity as well. They can work in and are needed in all dental practices. The occupation of a DA offers the option to make a career out of it by earning additional certifications for expanded functions, or use it as a steppingstone towards a career in dental hygiene, or dentistry. Other responsibilities can include front desk work as well, scheduling appointments, answering phones, and other administrative tasks. The role of the dental assistant is vital to successful dental practices.
Karen Gorton PhD, RN, FNP, MS
Associate Dean, Associate ProfessorUniversity of Wyoming
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What Dental Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Karen Gorton PhD, RN, FNP, MS: In nursing, the ability to think critically within the clinical context, communication, and assessment skills will continue to be very important. You, as the nurse, are with the patient for more hours than any other provider. Your ability to look at the patient combined with your assessment, their current issues, their lab values, and clinical presentation will be the difference in their outcome. Once you put your pieces together, your ability to clearly communicate your findings with the providers will advocate for the patient and their care.
Dr. Kelseanne Breder PhD, PMHNP, GERO-BC
Clinical Assistant ProfessorNew York University
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
What will help Dental Nurses increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kelseanne Breder PhD, PMHNP, GERO-BC: Seek job opportunities that offer you ample supervision. Supervision is critical to furthering your education and refining on-the-job expertise in the specific practice setting where you have chosen to work.
What general advice would you give to a Dental Nurse?
Carrie Miller BS, CLDA: Dental Assisting is a licensed dental profession dedicated to oral health care for patients of all ages. As a vital member of the dental team, dental assistants actively support the dentist and the hygienist while also independently performing procedures. Some of their day-to-day responsibilities include ensuring patient comfort, preparing patients and the work area for treatments, assisting with oral surgeries, sterilizing dental instruments, handing instruments to the dentist during procedures, evacuating oral cavities, making dental impressions, instructing patients in proper oral hygiene, taking and processing dental X-rays, installing fixed prosthodontics, maintaining inventory, scheduling patient appointments, and working with patients on billing and payment.
What Dental Nurse skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Carrie Miller BS, CLDA: Dental assisting offers several advantages that make it an attractive career choice. The demand for dental assistants has been consistently high due to factors such as population growth, aging demographics, and expansion of dental services. Additionally, the flexibility in scheduling and the opportunity to work in healthcare, a sector with constant demand, make it a stable and rewarding career path. Dental assisting provides both job security and personal fulfillment, making it a great option for those considering a career in healthcare.
Wendy Bowles PhD, APRN-CNP, CNE
Associate Clinical Professor, Associate Dean for Baccalaureate ProgramsWhat general advice would you give to a Dental Nurse?
Wendy Bowles PhD, APRN-CNP, CNE: To maximize your salary potential you should consider going back to school and pursuing your doctorate degree from a high quality, reputable institution. There are many programs that offer BSN to doctorate pathways and that will enhance earnings potential.
Dr. Ashlee Barnes DNP, APRN, FNP-C
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Detroit Mercy
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
What general advice would you give to a Dental Nurse?
Dr. Ashlee Barnes DNP, APRN, FNP-C: Nursing remains an excellent career path, characterized by its evolving landscape and opportunities, continual growth, and soaring demand in a variety of settings. Nursing guarantees job stability, possibility for both personal and professional advancement, and the satisfaction of positively impacting people's lives.
What will help Dental Nurses increase their earning potential?
Carol Donohue: Increasing earning potential can come from various avenues which range from being prepared from the interview, staying current with continuing education as dentistry is always evolving in areas such as infection control, dental materials and more. The more knowledge, training, and education dental assistants have, the more they can contribute to the practice as well, making dental assistants an integral part of any successful dental practice.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Dental Nurses?
Carol Donohue: Before the pandemic, the Bureau of Labor Statistics rated dental assisting as one of the fastest growing careers, and it has continued to increase as many dental assistants have left to stay home with young children or elderly parents/relatives. Most dental offices report that they are extremely busy and trying to catch up from the work that was put on hold due to the pandemic. At one point dental offices were only seeing emergencies only. As the medical field continues to expand, opportunities for stable employment in this rewarding industry are within reach
What's a day at work look like for a Dental Nurse?
Carol Donohue: There are additional precautionary measures that are taken due to COVID-19 that has changed what the typical day for a dental assistant looks like. A typical workday now starts with temperature checks as part of the Covid-19 screenings for all patients and staff. Pre-screening of patients by phone and also screening patients upon their arrival to the dental office. Upon arrival patients call from their cars and must wear a face mask and come alone if possible, fill out a Covid screening form and have temperature taken prior to being seated. Additional responsibilities include disinfecting and cleaning the office more than ever. Being super diligent about infection control protocols that have been added as a result of the pandemic. Add to this the additional personal protective equipment (PPE) that is recommended from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that is required under the Covid-19 protocols. These include head covering, a face shield, masks and disposable lab jackets. Despite the changes that dental assistants have been navigating through, one thing remains the same, they continue to embrace their underlying purpose, which is providing care for patients in need.
During a procedure, the dental assistant helps the dentist by handing them instruments and holding suction hoses to keep the patient's mouth clean and dry. Under a dentist's guidance, they may also take x-rays and perform lab tests. After a procedure, the dental assistant will review care instructions with the patient. They will then restock the examining room with supplies for the next patient.
After a procedure, a dental assistant will review care instructions with the patient. They will then restock the examining room with supplies for the next patient.