Dentists
are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks so
that they may devote their own time to more complex procedures.
Many
assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing
number are trained in dental-assisting programs; most programs
take 1 year or less to complete.
Dental assistants work closely with, and under the supervision of,
dentists. (See the statement on dentists
elsewhere in the Handbook.) Assistants perform a variety of
patient care, office, and laboratory duties.
Dental assistants should not be confused with dental hygienists, who
are licensed to perform different clinical tasks. (See the statement
on dental
hygienists
elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Dental assistants sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment,
prepare and lay out the instruments and materials required to treat
each patient, and obtain patients' dental records. Assistants make
patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair and prepare
them for treatment. During dental procedures, assistants work
alongside the dentist to provide assistance. They hand instruments
and materials to dentists and keep patients' mouths dry and clear by
using suction or other devices. They also instruct patients on
postoperative and general oral health care.
Dental assistants may 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. Some States are
expanding dental assistants' duties to include tasks such as coronal
polishing and restorative dentistry functions for those assistants
that meet specific training and experience requirements.
Dental assistants with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and
mouth from impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and
make temporary crowns. Those with office duties schedule and confirm
appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills,
receive payments, and order dental supplies and materials.
Work environment.
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. Assistants also follow safety procedures to
minimize the risks associated with the use of x-ray machines.
About half of dental assistants have a 35- to 40-hour workweek. Most
of the rest work part-time or have variable schedules. Depending on
the hours of the dental office where they work, assistants may have
to work on Saturdays or evenings. Some dental assistants hold
multiple jobs by working at dental offices that are open on
different days or scheduling their work at a second office around
the hours they work at their primary office.
Many 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.
Education and training.
High school students interested in a career as a dental assistant
should take courses in biology, chemistry, health, and office
practices. For those wishing to pursue further education, the
Commission on Dental Accreditation within the American Dental
Association (ADA)
approved 269 dental-assisting training programs in 2006. 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 1 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 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 4- to 6-month courses in dental assisting,
but the Commission on Dental Accreditation does not accredit these
programs.
A
large number of dental assistants learn through on-the-job training.
In these situations, the employing dentist or other dental
assistants in the dental office teach the new assistant dental
terminology, the names of the instruments, how to perform daily
duties, how to interact with patients, and other things necessary to
help keep the dental office running smoothly. While some things can
be picked up easily, it may be a few months before new dental
assistants are completely knowledgeable about their duties and
comfortable doing all of their tasks without assistance.
A
period of on-the-job training is often required even for those that
have completed a dental-assisting program or have some previous
experience. Different dentists may have their own styles of doing
things that need to be learned before an assistant can be
comfortable working with them. Office-specific information, such as
where files are kept, will need to be learned at each new job. Also,
as dental technology changes, dental assistants need to stay
familiar with the tools and procedures that they will be using or
helping dentists to use. On-the-job training is often sufficient to
keep assistants up-to-date on these matters.
Licensure.
Most States regulate the duties that dental assistants are allowed
to perform. Some States require licensure or registration, which may
include passing a written or practical examination. There are a
variety of schools offering coursesapproximately 10 to 12 months in
lengththat meet their State's requirements. Other States require
dental assistants to complete State-approved education courses of 4
to 12 hours in length. Some States offer registration of other
dental assisting credentials with little or no education required.
Some 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. In some States, for
example, dental assistants who perform radiological procedures must
complete additional training. Completion of the Radiation Health and
Safety examination offered by Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
meets the standards in more than 30 States. Some States require
completion of a State-approved course in
radiology as well.
Certification and other qualifications.
Certification is available through the Dental Assisting National
Board (DANB) and is recognized or required in more than 30 States.
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 ADA-accredited dental assisting
education program or by having 2 years of full-time, or 4 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. Other organizations offer registration, most
often at the State level.
Dental assistants must be a second pair of hands for a dentist;
therefore, dentists look for people who are reliable, work well with
others, and have good manual dexterity.
Advancement.
Without further education, advancement opportunities are limited.
Some dental assistants become office managers, dental-assisting
instructors, dental product sales representatives, or insurance
claims processors for dental insurance companies. Others go back to
school to become dental hygienists. For many, this entry-level
occupation provides basic training and experience and serves as a
steppingstone to more highly skilled and higher paying jobs.
Dental assistants held about 280,000 jobs in 2006. Almost all jobs
for dental assistants were in offices of dentists. A small number of
jobs were in the Federal, State, and local governments or in offices
of physicians. About 35 percent of dental assistants worked part
time, sometimes in more than one dental office.
Employment is expected to increase much faster than average; job
prospects are expected to be excellent.
Employment change.
Employment is expected to grow 29 percent from 2006 to 2016, which
is much faster
than the average
for all occupations. In fact, dental assistants are expected to be
among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 projection
period.
Population growth, greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged
and older people, and an increased focus on preventative dental care
for younger generations will fuel demand for dental services. Older
dentists, who have been less likely to employ assistants or have
employed fewer, are leaving the occupation and will be replaced by
recent graduates, who are more likely to use one or more 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 complex procedures.
Job prospects.
Job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent.
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 for other reasons.
Many opportunities for entry-level positions offer on-the-job
training, but some dentists prefer to hire experienced assistants or
those who have completed a dental-assisting program.
Median hourly earnings of dental assistants were $14.53 in May 2006.
The middle 50 percent earned between $11.94 and $17.44 an hour. The
lowest 10 percent earned less than $9.87, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $20.69 an hour.
Benefits vary substantially by practice setting and may be
contingent upon full-time employment. According to the American
Dental Association, 87 percent of dentists offer reimbursement for
continuing education courses taken by their assistants.
The above wage data are from the
Occupational Employment Statistics
(OES) survey program, unless otherwise noted. For the latest
National, State, and local earnings data, visit the
following pages:
