Medical Assisting

Medical Assisting Careers > Dental Assistant

See Available Dental Assistant Schools

Job Description: Dental assistants serve as primary support staff for dentists, performing a variety of duties that include patient care, office work, and laboratory duties. Assistants will prepare patients for examination, and assist dentists chairside during examinations by performing such tasks as sterilizing instruments and keeping patients' mouths dry and clear.

Some dental assistants also take and process dental x-rays, remove sutures, or perform other patient care tasks as delegated by a dentist. Office duties common to this profession include scheduling and confirming appointments, greeting and receiving patients, keeping treatment records, sending bills, and ordering dental supplies.

Work Environment: About half of current dental assistants work 35 to 40-hour weeks, sometimes working during the evening or on Saturdays. They work in clean, well-lighted environments, and work very closely with dentists during examinations, arranging instruments, materials, and medication and handing them to the dentist as needed.

Dental assistants also must wear gloves, masks, and protective eyewear and clothing to protect themselves (and their patients) from infectious diseases.

Education and Training Requirements: While an increasing number of dental assistants are receiving training in specialized programs offered by community and junior colleges, many still receive on-the-job training. This occupation is, for many, an entry-level position that provides basic training and experience, and many dental assistants go back to school to become dental hygienists. Others go on to becoming office managers, dental-assisting instructors or dental product sales representatives.

Salary Range: Salaries for dental assistants are generally hourly, and the median earnings per hour in 2002 were $13.10, with the middle salary range falling between $10.35 and $16.20. Almost all full-time dental assistants employed by private practitioners receive benefits, including paid vacation time and dental coverage, according to the American Dental Association.

Job Outlook: Excellent. Dental assistants is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations in the country through 2012, and many opportunities are available for entry-level positions offering on-the-job training. Job growth in this industry is primarily driven by population growth, and as dentists' workloads increase, they are expected to hire more assistants to perform more routine tasks.

Dental Assistant Schools:

Arizona Schools

The Bryman School* (Phoenix) - Dental Assistant, Hospital Unit Coordinator, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Practical Technologist in Radiology, Surgical Technologist, Massage Therapy

California Schools
Academy of Professional Careers * (Indio) - Administrative Medical/Dental Assistant, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, Holistic Health Practitioner, Massage Therapy, Optical Technician
Everest College* (Alhambra, Anaheim, City of Industry, Gardena, Hayward, Los Angeles - Wilshire, Ontario, Reseda, San Bernardino, San Francisco, San Jose North, West Los Angeles, Wilshire)- Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Phlebotomist, Medical Office Assistant, Medical Office Management, X-Ray Technician, Surgical Technologist, Medical Clinical Assistant
Clarita Career College (Canyon Country, Lancaster) - Medical Assistant, Administrative Medical Assistant, Medical Laboratory Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy
Heald College* (Concord, Hayward, Stockton) - Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Medical Office Administration, Health Information Technology
High-Tech Institute (Sacramento) - Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical Technologist, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy
Maric College* (Bakersfield, Fresno, Stockton) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Office Specialist, Coding/Billing, Nursing, Healthcare & Rehab Technician, X-Ray Tech, Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Ultrasound, Radiologic Technology, Pharmacy Tech, Respiratory Therapy, Massage Therapy and MORE
San Joaquin Valley College* (Bakersfield, Fresno, Visalia) - Clinical and Administrative Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, Health Care Insurance Specialist, Pharmacy Technology, Surgical Technology, Veterinary Technology, Health Care Administration, Respiratory Care Practice
Santa Barbara Business College* (Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Ventura) - Medical Assisting, Medical/Dental Office Systems, Pharmacy Technician
United Education Institute (Ontario, Van Nuys, Huntington Park, San Diego) - Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Billing & Coding
West Coast College (Victorville, Citrus Heights, Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Leandro) - Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Massage Therapist

Florida Schools
ACT - Jacksonville (Jacksonville) - Dental Assisting
Angley College (DeLand) - Medical Assisting, Medical Office Administration, Dental Assisting, Nursing Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Therapeutic Massage
ATI College of Health (Miami) - Dental Assisting, Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician, Medical Assisting Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Respiratory Therapist
Central Florida Institute* (Orlando, Tampa Bay) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant/Basic X-ray, Noninvasive Cardio Technician, Advanced Cardiovascular Technologist - ECHO, Surgical Technologist - Operating Room Scrub
Florida Education Center (Lauderhill) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Technician
Sanford-Brown Institute (Tampa) - Dental Assistant, Diploma
Sanford-Brown Institute (Ft. Lauderdale) - Dental Assistant, Diploma

Georgia Schools
ACT: Advanced Career Training (Atlanta, Riverdale) - Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Insurance Coding
Everest Institute (Jonesboro) - Dental Assisting
Everest Institute (Norcross) - Dental Assisting

Hawaii Schools
Heald College (Honolulu) - Dental Assisting, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Medical Office Administration

Idaho Schools
Academy of Professional Careers (Boise) - Administrative Medical/Dental Assistant, Dental Assisting, Holistic Health Practitioner, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician

Indiana Schools
Everest College (Merrillville) - Dental Assisting
Professional Careers Institute (Indianapolis) - Dental Assistant, Dental Assisting/Administration, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy/Medical Assisting, Medical Assistant, Medical Assisting/Administration, Medical/Dental Administration

Kentucky Schools
ATA Career Education (Louisville) - Dental Assisting, Medical Coding

Louisiana Schools
Everest College* (New Orleans) - Dental Assisting, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding, Pharmacy Technician

Maryland Schools

Massachusetts Schools
Everest Institute* (Brighton) - Dental Assisting, Masage Therapy (Modular), Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician

Michigan Schools
Everest Institute (Kalamazoo) - Dental Assisting
Everest Institute (Grand Rapids) - Dental Assisting

Minnesota Schools

Missouri Schools
Allied College (North St. Louis/Maryland Heights, South Arnold/Fenton) - Dental Assistant
High-Tech Institute (Kansas City) - Dental Assistant
Missouri College (St. Louis) - Dental Office Administration, Dental Assistant
Everest College (Springfield) - Dental Assisting

Nebraska Schools
Hamilton College* (Omaha) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Practical Nursing, Massage Therapy
Vatterott College (Omaha) - Dental Assistant, Practical Nursing, Advanced Medical Assistant, Alcohol/Drug Abuse Counselor, Medical Assistant, Veterinay Technician, Medical Administrative Assistant

New Jersey Schools

New Mexico Schools
ATI Career Training Center (Albuquerque) - Dental Assisting

Nevada Schools
High-Tech Institute (Las Vegas) - Dental Assistant

Ohio Schools
Akron Institute (Cuyahoga Falls) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Biller/Administrator
Remington College - Cleveland West (North Olmsted) - Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance and Coding, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technician

Oregon Schools
Cambridge College - Portland (Beaverton) - Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical Technologist

Pennsylvania Schools
Bradford School (Pittsburgh) - Dental Assisting
Career Training Academy (New Kensington) - Dental Assistant
CHI Institute * (Broomall) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical Technician
Sanford-Brown Institute (Formerly Ultrasound Diagnostic School) (Philadelphia) - Dental Assisting, Medical Assistant, Coding & Billing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Non-Invasive Cardiovascular & Surgical Technology, Massage Therapy
Thompson Institute (Philadelphia) - Dental Assisting

Tennessee Schools
High-Tech Institute (Nashville) - Dental Assisting
Remington College* (Nashville) - Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assisting

Texas Schools
Milan Institute (Amarillo) - Administrative Medical/Dental Assistant, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Office Administration, Pharmacy Technician
Academy of Healthcare Professions* (Austin, Houston North Loop, Houston Southwest) - Dental Assistant, Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist, Medical Assistant, Medical Coding and Billing Specialist, Phlebotomy Technician, Dental Assistant, Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound, Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist, Massage Therapy, Surgical Technologist
ATI Career Training Center* (Dallas, Hurst) - Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Respiratory Therapy Technology
Career Centers of Texas* (Corpus Christi, El Paso, Fort Worth) - Medical Assistant, Medical Office Specialist, Dental Assistant, Insurance Processor, Patient Care Assistant Technician, Medical Assistant Clinical/Clerical, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical Technician, Medical Office Specialist, Radiologic Technologist
High-Tech Institute (Irving) - Basic Massage Therapy, Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical Technologist
National Institute of Technology (Houston - Greenspoint) - Dental Assisting, Medical Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assisting, Medical Business and Clinical Specialist, Medical Insurance Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician
Kaplan Career Institute (San Antonio) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant Clinical/Clerical, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Technician
San Antonio College of Medical and Dental Assistants (McAllen) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant Clinical/Clerical, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Technician
Southeastern Career Institute* (Dallas, Midland) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Technician
Texas Careers* (Beaumont, Lubbock) - Dental Assisting, Medical Assistant, Medical Office Specialist, Patient Care Assistant Technician, Nurse Aide, Vocational Nursing

Utah Schools
Eagle Gate College* (Murray) - Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assisting, Office Management
Provo College (Provo) - Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, Physical Therapist Assistant, Therapeutic Massage Technology

Virginia Schools
ACT College* (Alexandria, Arlington) - Medical Assisting, Dental Assistant, Medical Administrative Specialist, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician
Everest Institute* (Chesepeake) - Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assisting, Medical Insurance Billing/Coding

Washington Schools

Everest College* (Everett, Tacoma, Port Orchard, Renton, Lynnwood) - Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Laboratory Assistant/Phlebotomist