Adapted from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 Edition
>Significant Points
- Job prospects should be excellent.
- Dentists are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks so that they may devote their own time to more profitable procedures.
- Most assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing number are trained in dental-assisting programs; most programs take one year or less to complete.
>Nature of the Work
Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office and laboratory duties. They work chairside as dentists examine and treat patients. They make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment and obtain their dental records. Assistants hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients' mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. Assistants also sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare trays of instruments for dental procedures, and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral healthcare.
Some dental assistants prepare materials for impressions and restorations, take dental X-rays and process X-ray film as directed by a dentist. They also may remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment.
Those with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary crowns. Dental assistants with office duties schedule and confirm appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills, receive payments, and order dental supplies and materials.
Dental assistants should not be confused with dental hygienists, who are licensed to perform different clinical tasks.
>Working Conditions
Dental assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. Their work area usually is near the dental chair so that they can arrange instruments, materials and medication and hand them to the dentist when needed. Dental assistants must wear gloves, masks, eyewear and protective clothing to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases. Following safety procedures also minimizes the risks associated with the use of X-ray machines.
About half of dental assistants have a 35- to 40-hour workweek, which may include work on Saturdays or evenings.
>Employment
Dental assistants held about 266,000 jobs in 2002. Almost all jobs for dental assistants were in offices of dentists. A small number of jobs were in offices of physicians, educational services and hospitals. About a third of dental assistants worked part-time, sometimes in more than one dental office.
>Training, Other Qualifications and Advancement
Most assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing number are trained in dental-assisting programs offered by community and junior colleges, trade schools, technical institutes or the Armed Forces. Assistants must be a second pair of hands for a dentist; therefore, dentists look for people who are reliable, can work well with others and have good manual dexterity. High school students interested in a career as a dental assistant should take courses in biology, chemistry, health and office practices.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association (ADA) approved 259 dental-assisting training programs in 2002. Programs include classroom, laboratory and preclinical instruction in dental-assisting skills and related theory. In addition, students gain practical experience in dental schools, clinics or dental offices. Most programs take one year or less to complete and lead to a certificate or diploma. Two-year programs offered in community and junior colleges lead to an associate's degree. All programs require a high school diploma or its equivalent, and some require science or computer-related courses for admission. A number of private vocational schools offer four- to six-month courses in dental assisting, but the Commission on Dental Accreditation does not accredit these programs.
Most states regulate the duties that dental assistants are allowed to perform through licensure or registration. Licensure or registration may require passing a written or practical examination. States offering licensure or registration have a variety of schools offering courses -- approximately 10 to 12 months in length -- that meet their state's requirements. Many states require continuing education to maintain licensure or registration. A few states allow dental assistants to perform any function delegated to them by the dentist.
Individual states have adopted different standards for dental assistants who perform certain advanced duties, such as radiological procedures. The completion of the Radiation Health and Safety examination offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) meets those standards in more than 30 states. Some states require the completion of a state-approved course in radiology as well.
Certification is available through DANB and is recognized or required in more than 30 states. Other organizations offer registration, most often at the state level. Certification is an acknowledgment of an assistant's qualifications and professional competence and may be an asset when one is seeking employment. Candidates may qualify to take the DANB certification examination by graduating from an accredited training program or by having two years of full-time or four years of part-time experience as a dental assistant. In addition, applicants must have current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For annual recertification, individuals must earn continuing-education credits.
Without further education, advancement opportunities are limited. Some dental assistants become office managers, dental-assisting instructors or dental product sales representatives. Others go back to school to become dental hygienists. For many, this entry-level occupation provides basic training and experience and serves as a stepping-stone to more highly skilled and higher paying jobs.
>Job Outlook
Job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent. Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2012. In fact, dental assistants is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations through 2012.
In addition to job openings due to employment growth, numerous job openings will arise out of the need to replace assistants who transfer to other occupations, retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Many opportunities are for entry-level positions offering on-the-job training.
Population growth and greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people will fuel demand for dental services. Older dentists, who have been less likely to employ assistants, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to use one or even two assistants. In addition, as dentists' workloads increase, they are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks, so that they may devote their own time to more profitable procedures.
>Earnings
Median hourly earnings of dental assistants were $13.10 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.35 and $16.20 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.45, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $19.41 an hour.
Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be contingent upon full-time employment. According to the American Dental Association, almost all full-time dental assistants employed by private practitioners received paid vacation time. The ADA also found that nine out of 10 full-time and part-time dental assistants received dental coverage.
>Related Occupations
Other workers supporting health practitioners include medical assistants, occupational therapist assistants and aides, pharmacy aides, pharmacy technicians and physical therapist assistants and aides.
>Sources of Additional Information
Information about career opportunities and accredited dental assistant programs is available from:
For information on becoming a Certified Dental Assistant and a list of state boards of dentistry, contact:
For more information on a career as a dental assistant and general information about continuing education, contact:
For more information about continuing-education courses, contact:
- National Association of Dental Assistants
900 S. Washington Street, Suite G-13
Falls Church, Virginia 22046
