Is It Worth Being A Dental Assistant?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The

national average annual wage of a dental assistant is $39,770

, according to the BLS, which is markedly less than the national average wage for all occupations, $51,960. … Below is a list of the top-10 highest-paying states for dental assistants.

Is dental assistant a good job?

The dental industry is a great career choice that offers

security, good pay

, and a rewarding feeling of helping others. … Dental assistants perform several essential tasks ranging from taking x-rays, record keeping to providing patient care, and serve a crucial role within the dental office.

Are dental assistants happy?


Dental assistants are below average when it

comes to happiness. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, dental assistants rate their career happiness 3.0 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 32% of careers.

Is being a dental assistant stressful?

Some dental assistants said

this job is really stressful

, is at the lower end of the chain, you need good mind reading techniques; you never know what your dentist wants before he thinks of it so you don’t look stupid in front of the patient.

Can you make a living off being a dental assistant?

The

national average annual wage of a dental assistant is $39,770

, according to the BLS, which is markedly less than the national average wage for all occupations, $51,960. … Below is a list of the top-10 highest-paying states for dental assistants.

What is the highest paying dental assistant job?

Best-Paying States for Dental Assistants

The states and districts that pay Dental Assistants the highest mean salary are

Minnesota ($52,220)

, Alaska ($49,350), New Hampshire ($49,280), Massachusetts ($48,770), and North Dakota ($47,140).

How can dental assistants make the most money?

  1. Take on More Responsibilities. Dental assistants with more experience and more credentials tend to earn more per hour than those who are new to the field. …
  2. Earn DANB Certification. …
  3. Consider Your Practice Type and Job Location. …
  4. Do Your Research. …
  5. Build Your Experience.

How much does a dental assistant make an hour?

Dental Assistant Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Dental Assistants earn an average salary of about $40,000 per year, and an average hourly wage

of $19.00 per hour

. These rates can vary depending on your employer, experience, and location.

How hard is it to become a dental assistant?

Most students find dental assistant training challenging. … Students with

good listening skills

also succeed in dental assistant school. As a dental assistant, you may also be asked to listen to patients and dentists as well. The education for dental assistant requires organization skills.

What are 10 duties of a dental assistant?

  • Assisting with dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, and extractions.
  • Taking & pouring dental impressions (molds of the mouth)
  • Preparing patients for surgery.
  • Operating equipment and monitors.
  • Talking with patients.
  • Performing administrative tasks.
  • Preparing examination areas.

What is the average age of a dental assistant?

The average age of an employed registered dental assistant is

38 years old

. The most common ethnicity of registered dental assistants is White (52.1%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (30.7%) and Asian (7.0%).

Do dental assistants clean teeth?

Their role includes undertaking examinations for dental diseases (such as gingivitis or periodontitis), providing preventative treatments (such as fissure sealants), providing professional teeth cleaning, providing periodontal disease treatment, and providing teeth whitening treatments.

Who makes more a dental or medical assistant?

The difference in pay between medical assistants and dental assistants. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) attests that

dental aides

made a higher median income compared to medical assistants in 2018. That year, dental aides earned a median salary of $38, 660 while medical aides made a median of $33, 610.

How many hours do dental assistants work?

Almost half of all dental assistants have a

35- to 40-hour work week

, which may include work on Saturdays or evenings. Dental assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment.

Is Dental Hygiene School Hard?

Studying commitment

Dental hygiene classes require a high level of commitment. You will need to learn a great deal of course material in a short period. Being a dental hygienist is a gratifying job, but it

can be a bit difficult

. It’s nothing that you can’t handle with the proper degree of motivation, and patience.

What is the highest paying dental job?

The highest-paid dental specialty is

oral and maxillofacial surgery

. Surgeons, including oral and maxillofacial surgeons, make a national average salary of $288,550 per year. These professionals are highly trained in both dental care and medical surgery.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.