What is the Average Dental Assistant Salary?

Dental assisting is a great career choice to consider especially if you are in high school or even midlife and looking for something a little bit different. The career outlook is good because there will always be a need for dentists, who need hygienists and assistants. While the average dental assistant salary is around $15 according to the 2008 report from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, this figure can vary up or down depending on your education, certifications, where you live, who you are employed with and many other factors.

The salary of a dental assistant is often entry level at first, then raises are given the longer the assistant works for their employer until they have reached top pay. Dental assistant salaries range from $33,000 per year and up, as mentioned before this figure is an average only. Not bad pay when you look at the educational requirements for a dental assistant. Depending on your state, the required educational program can be a year or even less. If you plan to become a certified dental assistant, which increases your chances of employment and higher pay, you will need to attend an accredited educational facility.

If you work as an assistant now and want more than a dental assistants salary and job duties, why not challenge yourself by working your way up to the position of dental hygienist. The hygienists work more closely with the dentists and have more responsibilities than the assistant. They also make more. The average dental hygienist salary in 2008 was around $30 an hour, twice what an assistant makes. And, this isn't even counting the benefits package. Benefits often include health, dental, vision, life insurance and more.

It is wise to remember that when you are looking for a career in the dental industry, the dental assistant salary compared to that of a hygienist may seem small. However, dental assistants can get benefits and pay raises, and can work their way up the educational and vocational ladder. Most workplaces are very supportive of employees who want to further their education so they can advance in their job. Some even help you pay for your education as part of your benefits package. Even if you don't become a hygienist, the pay for a dental assistant is substantially better than a job at a restaurant, retail store or supermarket for example. It is worth the education and training to gain employment in this rewarding field.






 

Dental Assistant News:

 

50 years at the dentist, smiling every minute - Allentown Morning Call

Allentown Morning Call
50 years at the dentist, smiling every minute
Allentown Morning Call
19, 1962, when Shoemaker took the dental assistant job at Jacob Ludwig's office on E. Broad Street in Bethlehem. She had just graduated from Liberty High School and wasn't really sure what sort of future she wanted. "I walked in and I've been here ever .

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A New Reason to Be Afraid of Going to the Dentist - The Stir

The Stir
A New Reason to Be Afraid of Going to the Dentist
The Stir
. to fear: cavities, fillings, drills, root canals, bad-tasting pastes, those things you have to bite down on for X-rays (really hate those), even the look of disapproval on the dental assistant's face when you admit you may not floss every day.

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Dean announced for Kirksville dental school
Dr. Halliday will be the inaugural dean of the new dental school on the Kirksville campus...


A.T. Still University names first dean of dental school
Dr. Christopher Halliday will leave post with U.S. Surgeon General for job in Kirksville...


Clean teeth, great smile
February brings Valentine's Day, Presidents Day and something else - National Children's Dental Health Month...


Orthodontist Assistant:Reasons of Becoming a Dental Assistant .
Which School Should You Enroll Yourself? The dental assistant school you choose to enroll in is one necessary factor in your success as an assistant. You must choose among these schools the one approved and accredited by the ...


4 Olathe Pirates earn medals, 2 in finals
Seniors Wyatt Yarnell and Casey Childs succeeded in earning third place medals at the Colorado State Wrestling Championships. Olathe High School teammates Austin Shank, a freshman and Jacob Solseth, a junior placed fourth...

Kaplan College reimburses students after probe of dental program
School's Charlotte campus surrenders license for dental program after students claim they were misled about credentials...


Brightening Smiles - Emporia Gazette

Brightening Smiles
Emporia Gazette
By Bobbi Mlynar Brighter smiles and bags stocked with items to promote children's dental health will be offered for free on Saturday by students at the Flint Hills Technical College's Dental Assisting Department. The event is timed to coincide with .

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Dental care offered through Baby TALK programs at Central Christian Church
DECATUR - The dental chair set up in an upstairs room at Central Christian Church on Thursday was a quite unusual sight, but it was business as usual for the mobile dental health unit based in Familia Dental's Springfield office...


70% TStorms
A major pledge to the dental program at UAMS in Little Rock is giving the school something to smile about...


Celebrating Career and Technical Education Month - Santa Fe College

Celebrating Career and Technical Education Month
Santa Fe College
As part of Career and Technical Education Month, CTE will feature one program each day for the remainder of the month. The oral health care profession is dedicated to keeping people smiling. As a dental hygienist or dental assistant you work with the .

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Kids learn about proper dental care - Hastings Tribune

Hastings Tribune
Kids learn about proper dental care
Hastings Tribune
It wasn't a hard decision EUR” at least not for the 21 young children who learned about proper dental care Friday morning from dental assistant Shauneen Steppuhn and dental hygienist Jean Menke. During the half-hour presentation at Pooh Corner Day Care .

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