What is the average salary for a dental assistant? This can vary greatly depending on where you live. Here are some established guidelines to help you find the answer.
The average salary for a dental assistant is $39,000 per year.
Average salary for a dental assistant
If you are thinking about a career in the health care field, you have probably considered dental assisting. A dental assistant works side by side with dentists, performing many tasks that keep the office running smoothly. Dental assistants are members of the dental health care team, though they may perform administrative duties and chair-side procedures as well. They perform routine functions, such as recording medical histories and sterilizing instruments. The work environment is clean and safe, with little risk of injury or sickness. You can get a job as a dental assistant without having a lot of education or training and they are well paid
Salaries vary by region, state and city.
Salaries for dental assistants vary by region, state and city. Dental assistant salaries are typically higher in larger metropolitan areas. This is due to the higher cost of living in these cities, as well as the increased number of dentists and other healthcare professionals who practice there. In addition, the cost of living tends to be significantly higher in states like California where you’re more likely to find high-paying jobs.
Experience and skills make a difference in your salary.
In addition to your level of education, experience and skills can make a difference in your salary. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) reports that dental assistants with more than 10 years of full-time work experience earn an average annual salary of about $60,000 per year. This is just one example; there are many others out there depending on where you live and what type of practice you work for. We’ll get into specifics below!
Salaries vary from state to state based on cost of living and average salaries in those states. For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Wyoming has the highest average wage for dental assistants at nearly $70K annually — but this could be attributed partly to its relatively low cost of living compared with other states like Massachusetts ($59K), California ($56K) or New York ($55K).
Just as important as location is where within a city you practice: Salaries may differ substantially between different areas within metropolitan areas — even if they’re just blocks apart! The BLS reports that in Seattle (the 8th most expensive U.S. metro area), dental assistants earn an average annual salary somewhere between $45-$57K depending on whether they work downtown or outside downtown proper; whereas nearby Bellevue ranks No. 2 among major metros with an average annual wage closer to $60-$70K per year
Location is the number one factor in salary levels.
The location of your practice is the number one factor in determining your salary levels. In the United States, dental assistants make anywhere from $28k to $45k per year. Canada’s average range is about $43k-$55k, with British Columbia leading the way at around $50.6k for a full-time position. Aussie DAs make about AUD$64k annually on average, with New Zealanders earning NZ$52k and Europeans earning EUR€36k (an amount that’s only barely higher than what American assistants earn). In Asia and Africa, dental assistants can expect to make between USD$20-$30/month; while South Americans are making as little as USD$1-$2/day!
A career in dental assisting can begin with only a high school diploma or GED.
A dental assisting career can begin with only a high school diploma or GED.
Dental assistant programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools and dental schools. Many employers prefer to hire assistants who have completed a program that includes both classroom and clinical instruction.
In order to become licensed as a dental assistant in all states except Louisiana, you must complete an accredited education program at an accredited training institution that includes at least 600 hours of total instruction time (including didactic and clinical experiences) or demonstrate completion of military experience in which members were trained as dentists’ assistants or use their skills as dentists’ assistants for credit towards licensure requirements (as noted by the American Dental Association). If you’ve completed this training within two years of applying for your license, you’re eligible for an exam waiver; otherwise, you’ll need to pass the state’s written exam before receiving your license
Dental assistants are members of the dental health care team.
Dental assistants are members of the dental health care team. They are the first point of contact for patients and play an important role in educating patients about procedures, treatment options and fees.
As a dental assistant, you will work directly with dentists, hygienists and other members of your clinic’s staff to ensure that patients get high-quality care at every visit.
Dental assistants perform many tasks, ranging from patient care to record keeping to scheduling appointments.
Dental assistants perform many tasks, ranging from patient care to record keeping to scheduling appointments. The average dental assistant salary for 2018 is $35,000. However, this figure can vary depending on where you live and what kind of dental practice you work for.
Some states have higher average salaries than others because they pay more in general; this means that if you want to earn more money as a dental assistant, your best bet is to move somewhere else with a higher cost of living.
On top of your base salary, there are other factors that will determine how much money you make as a dental assistant:
- Whether or not you’re paid by the hour or by the project (and how many projects you complete) will affect how much money comes in at the end of each week or month
Dental assistants work chair-side as dentists examine and treat patients, handing them instruments and materials or performing tasks such as suctioning.
As a dental assistant, you’ll work in a dentist’s office. Your role is to help the dentist with patient care and treatment by performing administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, answering phones and taking insurance information.
You might also assist in clinical procedures such as cleaning teeth, performing X-rays and preparing patients for procedures. You can become certified by passing an exam administered by the American Dental Association (ADA).
Dental assistants also sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare trays of instruments for procedures, expose radiographs, provide instructions for oral care following surgery or treatment, process dental x-rays, schedule appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills and receive payments.
Dental assistants also sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare trays of instruments for procedures, expose radiographs, provide instructions for oral care following surgery or treatment, process dental x-rays, schedule appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills and receive payments.
In addition to their duties as described above in caring for patients’ dental needs in the office setting, dental assistants may also:
- Operate X-ray equipment and perform other diagnostic tests.
- Prepare temporary crowns or bridges on molds taken by the dentist.
- Assist with surgical procedures such as tooth extractions if they have been trained in this area through an accredited program approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
You can get a job as a dental assistant without having a lot of education or training and they are well paid
Becoming a dental assistant is a great way to enter the field of health care without having to spend years training and studying. Dental assistants are well-paid, with the average salary being $43,000 per year. They work in many different settings and perform many tasks, ranging from patient care to record keeping and scheduling appointments.
They can help you find out how much money you would make as a dental assistant and what kind of job opportunities are available in your area.
Conclusion
The wages of dental assistants are among the highest in the medical administrative field. This is because of the importance placed on good oral hygiene and a healthy smile in today’s society. With proper training, a dental assistant can make a good living as part of an important health care team.
