Careers in dentistry are promising choices for the future, including dental assisting. These healthcare professionals are part of the dental care process in a variety of ways, helping patients and dentists with oral care and recordkeeping. Learn how to become a dental assistant, including salary, required skills, and more.
“Becoming a dental assistant is a smart choice because it is a high demand career,” says Danielle Bourdeau, Dental Assisting Instructor at Erwin Technical College. “There are a multitude of specialties, including pediatric, endodontics, oral surgery and periodontics to name a few. With so many specialties the demand is higher, and with the completion of the year of school required, a dental assistant can work in any specialty office upon graduation.”
How To Become a Dental Assistant FAQs
What is a dental assistant?
Dental assistants sterilize and prepare equipment and assist dentists during procedures. These healthcare professionals also handle office tasks like scheduling appointments and managing patient records. They help patients throughout their office visits, answering questions and educating them on proper oral health.
In most states, there are multiple levels of dental assistants. You may choose to pursue additional education and certification in expanded functions (EFDA), like radiography (taking X-rays) or procedures like sealant application. The duties and responsibilities vary by state and specific employment situations.
What does a typical day look like?
According to Danielle, the most common dental assistant tasks are taking dental radiographs, seating and releasing patients, charting, explaining procedures, obtaining consent, set up and clean-up of rooms, sterilizing instruments, scheduling appointments, and of course assisting during procedures.
Why become a dental assistant?
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) jobs are in strong demand, and the projected growth potential for the field is more than double the average (8%) over the next 10 years. That means that today’s high school students should find plenty of job openings available in this career field, no matter where they live.
On average, dental assistants make around $46,000 a year. Most work full-time, generally keeping the same hours as the dental offices they work for. This is a satisfying career choice for those who enjoy helping others and working one-on-one with people.
“If you are a people person and enjoy helping others without judgement, this is the career for you!” Danielle advises. “Watching someone transform physically (their smile) and mentally (their confidence) into the person they always wanted to be is the most rewarding part of being a dental assistant. Our teeth are so very important, and being able to educate and help people in this field has been so beneficial to me and will be for you too.”
What are the necessary skills for a dental assistant?
Since these healthcare professionals interact with the public on a daily basis, they need strong communication skills. In some communities, it may be helpful to be bilingual to assist patients who don’t speak English. Dental assistants also need to be organized, with strong attention to detail. They must be good at taking direction from dentists and hygienists, ensuring patient safety and comfort.
Danielle shared some of the most important characteristics and skills for dental assistants, and why they matter:
- Empathy: “A lot of patients have a fear of the dentist,” Danielle notes. “It is the job of the dental assistant to ease that fear without judgement.”
- Knowledge: “We have all been a patient and we all know how it feels to have questions about our visits,” explains Danielle. “The dental assistant must be knowledgeable about the office, the dentist, and most importantly the procedure(s) being performed. The dental assistant is the first person the patient sees (similar to a nurse in a doctor’s office), and the majority of the time the patient is the most comfortable with the assistant and looks to the assistant to explain procedures.”
- Trustworthiness: “Any medical professional must be trustworthy and abide by HIPAA regulations,” she stresses.
- Comforting Demeanor: There are two types of patients, those that love the dentist (very few!) and those that have a genuine fear of them (the majority). The latter patients require extra attention and reassurance; therefore, dental assistants have to be comforting to ease the uncertainty and fear,” Danielle emphasizes. “Dental assistants are the first encounter and usually the last. I have had many patients thank me at the end of an appointment because I took my time and gave them the extra comfort they needed and therefore were more inclined to return for their next appointment.”
Do dental assistants need a degree?
No college degree is required to become a CDA. However, most states require dental assistants to be licensed or certified by passing standard tests. People generally complete a training program through a community college or vocational school to learn the skills they need to become certified as a dental assistant. Some people earn a two-year associate’s degree in dental assisting, but it’s not usually necessary to work in this field.
How long does it take to become a dental assistant?
This depends on whether your state requires licensing or training courses. In some states, you can jump right into on-the-job training, supervised by a licensed dentist, straight out of high school. You may also be able to complete shorter training programs that take only a few months to prepare you to become certified.
In other states, required dental assistant training courses take about nine months to two years. Then, you must pass any required licensing exams before you can begin applying for jobs. In most cases, you can expect to be in the full-time workforce in a year or two after beginning your training.
How To Become a Certified Dental Assistant: An Overview of the Process
Learn your state’s licensing or certification requirements
This is the first step, as each state has its own laws and processes for Certified Dental Assistants. The additional steps shown here may or may not be required in your state, so start by getting more information at the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
Complete formal education or on-the-job training
Some states allow on-the-job training under a licensed dentist, although this may limit the duties you’re permitted to perform. (Fewer permitted duties can mean lower earning potential in the long run.)
Most states require at least some formal training, through accredited programs offered by community colleges, vocational schools, or dental assisting academies. This is especially true if you want to be able to perform expanded functions like taking X-rays or performing procedures like coronal polishing.
Pass necessary licensing exams
While not all states require licensing or certification exams, you’ll usually find your earning potential is greater with these under your belt. Explore your state’s required exams and certification processes to learn what you need to do to become a CDA or EFDA.
Gain CPR certification and pass background check
Though not all states require CPR certification, this is a quick and easy way to make yourself more valuable in medical offices no matter where you live. CDA training courses usually include this as part of their curriculum, but you can also contact your local Red Cross for training sessions near you.
In some states, you’ll need to be fingerprinted and pass a background check. You may also be required to receive immunizations for diseases such as hepatitis B before becoming certified.
Earn EFDA licensing or certification
Once you’ve become a Certified Dental Assistant, you may want to continue your education to learn the duties of an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA). This often increases your earning power, since you’re able to perform more dental office duties. Explore your state’s options to learn the training and certification requirements.
Don’t forget to grab your free printable How To Become a Dental Assistant poster!