Dental Assisting Career Articles and Information

Dental Assisting Career Information

Proper dental care is important to every man, woman, and child. Due to the continued sharp population growth in the United States, the government forecasts that dental assistants will continue to be in high demand until at least 2014. As one of the fastest growing occupations, now is the time to enter into this rewarding and exciting career!

Dental assistants are often capable of completing a training course within just twelve months. While it is not mandatory in all states that a dental assistant be licensed, many states severely limit the tasks an unlicensed dental assistant may perform. In California, for example, the job details vary depending on whether a dental assistant is licensed or not. As would be expected, there is also a difference in the pay you can expect to receive if you are licensed versus not being licensed. This is because the duties can be so varied.

An unlicensed dental assistant in California may:

  • Apply fluoride treatment
  • Examine orthodontia for defects
  • Expose finished x-rays
  • Hand instruments to the dentist or oral surgeon during a procedure
  • Handle billing
  • Polish finished casts
  • Pour casts
  • Prepare instrument trays
  • Prepare insurance claims
  • Ready a patient for procedures
  • Schedule appointments and greet patients
  • Sterilize equipment
  • Suction a patient’s mouth during a procedure

Once a dental assistant is licensed, he or she can handle additional responsibilities. Those tasks include:

  • Examine teeth for damage using mirrors and other tools
  • Handle teeth whitening treatments
  • Insert dressings after oral surgeries
  • Prepare temporary crowns
  • Take patient histories
  • Remove stitches

Finally, a licensed dental assistant who passes the state dental examining board’s advanced training program has additional job details. These may include:

  • Apply sealants
  • Prepare enamel bonding treatments
  • Prepare and take teeth impressions for dental appliances

The pay scale for dental assistants depends on the assistant’s work experience. If you are just starting out, 2007 job advertisements offer a starting salary of $33,600 to $40,800 per year. If overtime is required, the overtime rate is usually around $17.00 per hour. Level two dental assistants, which are those that have at least two years of work experience, can expect wages to range from $37,000 to $44,800 per year. Overtime for a licensed dental assistant is usually around $18.00 per hour. In most of California, bonuses are offered to bilingual (Spanish) dental assistants as well.

Job listings require a strong knowledge of dental tools, the ability to work well with others, excellent customer service skills, calm sense of being even when stressed, and the ability to solve problems independently. Dentists want assistants who require little prompting to get the work completed in a timely manner. As many tasks require precision details, a steady hand is often necessary. Things like removing stitches or applying sealants could injure a patient if the dental assistant has shaky hands.

Palomar College in San Diego has one of the least expensive ADA approved programs in all of California. The program costs $20 per credit and books cost an additional $500 to $800 on average. Ninety-nine credits are required for an associate’s degree. Palomar College’s program takes a full year, but it is comprehensive and offers plenty of internship-style training.

With any dental assistant program, expect to take the following courses:

  • Algebra
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business Math
  • Careers in Dental Science
  • Chair side Assisting
  • Composition
  • Contemporary Literature
  • Coronal Polishing
  • Dental Anatomy
  • Dental Assisting Seminar
  • Dental Materials and Tools
  • Ethics
  • Introduction to Dental Sciences
  • Introduction to Oral Hygiene
  • Keyboarding
  • Pharmacology
  • Physiology
  • Psychology
  • Public Speaking
  • Secretarial Skills
  • Software Applications
  • X-Ray Techniques and Safety Measures

Once you have completed your education, it is advisable to become certified by the Dental Assisting National Board, or DANB. The Dental Assisting National Board was established in the 1940s in order to provide patients with quality dental care. DANB’s CDA (Certified Dental Assistant) test is dividing into three parts. The first covers chair side techniques. The second delves into radiation safety. The final portion of the test covers infection control.

The CDA exam varies in price. For the majority of individuals, the test costs $300 including the deposit. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required for all. Residents of Maryland are required to pay an extra $20 to report the test results to the state, but this is not necessary for California residents. In addition, active military members receive a $25 discount.

Your Certified Dental Assistant credentials must be renewed yearly. Currently, the cost for renewal ranges from $55 to $125. The DANB sends out renewal notices six weeks in advance of the expiration date. You must also gain an additional twelve to thirty hours of additional education every year.

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