How Much Does A Dental Assistant Make?

There are a number of professions where the leaders of the industry do a large majority of the detailed work, but would be unable to do so without qualified help. Such is the case in the dental world, where it is the dentist who performs all the major jobs, but who would be quite unable to do so at such a high level without the aid of a dental assistant. Pretty much all of us have been to the dentist at one time or another and it’s pretty apparent that the assistant holds a number of very important duties within the office. We have all watched the hard work he or she does and have wondered, how much does a dental assistant make?

The salary for a dental assistant can fluctuate quite a bit depending on experience level and the state in which they choose to work. Before an assistant can get to the top of the salary ladder, there is quite a bit of education and training that is required first. Before deciding to take that first big step towards a career as a dental assistant, it’s a very good idea to get to know exactly what the job duties will be, as they could include a few that might make you a little squeamish. You will be required to prepare the equipment that will be needed for every procedure, and to make sure that all patient records are properly maintained. You will also be responsible for swabs and suction, as well as removing stitches.

If none of that puts you off, and you are still want to know how much does a dental assistant make, then the next step is to see if you have the right skills for the job. Those will include a friendly, courteous demeanor at all times, as well as a good level of patience and understanding, especially when it comes to dealing with patients who are not too thrilled to be in the dentist chair. If you feel that is something you can handle, then it’s time to go to school, which usually involves programs that run anywhere between 9 and 11 months. There are now many online schools that offer dental assistant programs, but no matter which school you choose, you must make sure that it is fully accredited.

Once you have graduated, you will be required to become certified, and that means taking a rather lengthy test that will be administered by the Dental Assisting national Board. After that you will then be free to ask, how much does a dental assistant make, with the answer for those straight out of school being somewhere in the $26,000 to $30,000 per year range. The average salary for all dental assistants sits around $34,000, with the highest reported salary coming in at a touch over $46,000. That is a fairly comfortable living, and with the position expected to be in high demand, it’s a very solid career choice.