A dental assistant is an invaluable asset to a dental office. If you have ever considered a career in the dental field, you should consider that of a dental assistant. A dental assistant is a highly regarded professional, who works under the medical license of a dentist. Not only is it a rewarding profession, but it has also been determined that job availability in this field should continue to grow in the foreseeable future.
Most dental offices are open for business Monday-Friday, 8 hours a day, and usually offer an hourly compensation of approximately $13.62, as well as health insurance and bonuses. A dental assistant can also expect to receive paid sick days, holidays and vacation time. Some dentists offer discounted dental procedures to their employees, as well.
A dental assistant should expect to be responsible for a variety of duties. As is ascertained by their title, a dental assistant will assist the dentist during patient procedures, as well as performing specific lab work and keeping the tools sterilized and organized. As with any profession involving patients, a quality of care and attention must be paid to each task. A dental assistant is “hands on” with the patient, and must exhibit a comfortable bedside manner.
A dental assistant may also be expected to assist the dental hygienist that works in the office. A dental hygienist is a professional position that requires a bit more schooling than that of the dental assistant, as well as a special certification. For which, however, they are paid at a higher rate, approximately $23.65 per hour. The hygienist also works under the medical license of the dentist, but keeps their own appointment book and schedule patients for bi-yearly teeth cleanings.
As with most professions, the pay scale of a dental assistant depends on the market in their region. Obviously, if you have an opportunity to practice under a well-established dentist in Beverly Hills, you can expect a higher rate of pay than an assistant who works for a young dentist in a small town. Obviously, the more experience you may have in the field will determine the rate of pay you might expect when moving from one office to another.
For those of you just starting out, it is often the practice of many dentists to hire “interns” fresh out of school. When this is the case, the “intern” can expect to be hired for less than the going rate. However, the experience that they receive in return is invaluable to their careers. Additionally, when a dentist has invested in the dental assistant, in terms of training, it is in their best interest to give the appropriate pay raises to keep the loyal dental assistant in their employ.
Some dentists may promote other employees to the position of dental assistant. These employees are probably not certified as dental assistants. Although they may have an opportunity to gain experience in the field, most likely they will earn much less than a certified dental assistant. Additionally, if they find themselves in the job market, they might find that other dentist’s would not consider hiring an uncertified assistant, even with experience.
