Dental Assistant

Explore This Path

Ideal for those passionate about patient care and oral health improvement.
Support dentists in delivering essential dental care and enhancing patient experiences.
Engage in diverse tasks, from clinical duties to administrative roles.

💰 Earn $46K-$59K

📚 Vocational Training

⏱️ 12–24 MONTH TRAINING

📈 8.4% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
Record treatment information in patient records.
Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.

Scoop

Minimum Education

Vocational Training

Career Prospects

Excellent (Increasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

1 to 2 years

Job Openings

54,900 Annually

Median Earnings

$48,210 in California

$46,540 Nationally

$25K

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Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Relating with or serving others
Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Judgment and Decision Making
Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking

You value 🙏

Having support
Job security
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Dental Assistant

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years

Workforce Development Program

A workforce development program typically enhances participants' opportunities to succeed in the workforce through employment skill-building, career counseling, connections to employers, and pathways to high-demand and high-wage jobs.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years