Dental Assistants

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Dental Assistants

Careers / Dental Assistants

Job Description


	Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.

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Job Requirements


	Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

	Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

	Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

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Significant Points


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Dental Assistants

Dental assistants perform many tasks, ranging from providing patient care and taking x rays to recordkeeping and scheduling appointments. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists' offices where they work. Almost all dental assistants work in dentists' offices. Most work full time. There are several possible paths to becoming a dental assistant. Some states require assistants to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam. In other states, there are no formal educational requirements. The median annual wage for dental assistants was $35,980 in May 2015. Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 18 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will likely continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services. Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for dental assistants. Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of dental assistants with similar occupations. Learn more about dental assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Top Ten Industries

U.S. National Figures.

Dental Assistants
Offices of Dentists	308,170
Offices of Physicians	7,800
Outpatient Care Centers	5,170
Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation)	3,740
Employment Services	3,420
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools	3,280
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals	2,330
Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation)	1,440
State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OES Designation)	1,340
Office Administrative Services	1,010

Career Video

Title: "Dental Assistants"

Duration: 01:09

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Salaries

U.S. National Averages.