Job Duties
What does a dental assistant do? That depends on the day’s appointments, but on any given day you’ll likely be doing some combination of the following:
- Assisting during dental procedures
- Sterilizing instruments
- Taking dental impressions
- Managing office records
- Greeting and situating patients
- Scheduling and confirming appointments
- Instructing patients on proper oral care
Work Environment
Dentist offices are fast-paced and team-based. You’ll meet new people daily, and you’ll work closely with other staff to provide high-quality care and comfort to patients, whether they’re in for a routine cleaning or something a bit more stressful (no one likes root canals). Attention to detail and a desire to keep learning will serve you well in your new role: You’ll need to keep the workplace clean, follow standard procedures, and stay up to date on the latest tools and products. And with one of the best online dental assistant programs under your belt, you’ll be ready to excel in your new career and role.
Pay Scale
You’re probably wondering: What is the average dental assistant salary? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the middle 50% of working professionals earn about $37,630 a year, with annual raises and benefits often in the cards.*
Industry Demand
As long as we have teeth, we’ll need dental assistants—especially with the baby boomer population needing extra attention. According to the BLS, estimates show that industry employment will increase steadily, upwards of 19% in the next 10 years.*
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