Dental Assistant

Dental assistants aid dentists during patient examinations and treatment. Their duties include preparing the patient for treatment, providing the dentist with proper instruments during treatment procedures, polishing teeth, processing dental x-ray films, making sure all instruments are sterilized and disinfected, and helping in the day-to-day management of the office. Orthodontist assistants place brackets and tie wires.

Work Environment
Dental assistants may work in solo dental practices, group practices, specialty practices, hospitals, public health clinics, and dental school clinics.

Job Outlook
Preventive dentistry has increased the number of people who are aware of the importance of regular dental care. Proper care, along with an ever-growing older population that is retaining its teeth longer, will result in an increasing demand for dental assistants.

Length of Training/
Requirements
Students may attend a local community college with an accredited program in dental assisting for training. Most programs take from nine to 11 months to complete.

Salary
Salary depends on education, geography, job setting, and experience. Current salaries range from $27,000 - $33,000.

Educational Programs
Certificate Programs/Associate Degree Allied Health Careers
Amarillo College
Astrodome Dental Careers Center
Career Center of Texas - El Paso
Del Mar College
El Centro College
El Paso County Community College
Grayson County College
Houston Community College System
San Antonio College
San Antonio College of Medical & Dental Assistants
School of Health Care Sciences - Sheppard Air Force Base
Tarrant County Junior College District Northeast Campus
Texas State Technical College - Waco

Professional Associations
American Dental Assistants Association
919 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 3400
Chicago, IL 60611
312/541-1550

Dental Assisting National Board
216 E. Ontario St.
Chicago, IL 60611-3205
800/367-3262
Fax: 312/642-8507