What is the Average Dental Assistant Salary?

Dental assisting is a great career to consider if you are in high school or even midlife and looking for a new career. 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.

Dental assistant pay 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, consider 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.

When 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:

 

Tolle Honored as ADHA Dental Hygiene Educator of the Year - Dentistry IQ

Tolle Honored as ADHA Dental Hygiene Educator of the Year
Dentistry IQ
Old Dominion University Professor of Dental Hygiene Lynn Tolle is this year's winner of the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA)/Procter & Gamble .
ADHA announces 2010-11 leadershipDentistry IQ

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Local Dental Hygienists React to the VA's Mistake - WSIL TV

WSIL TV

Local Dental Hygienists React to the VA's Mistake
WSIL TV
"We don't simply look inside the mouth and touch the teeth, we insert those instruments below the gum line," says Dental Hygiene Coordinator at John A. .

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Dental Assistant (Greenwich, CT) - Health Care Assistant Jobs
IF YOU'VE GOT THE SKILLS, WE'VE GOT YOUR JOB! We are seeking a full time/part time, experienced, highly motivated chairside assistant. You must have computer skills but we will train you on our software and digital x-ray...


Top Dental Assistant Schools for your education | Dental Assistant
Once you have decided to enroll in a dental assistant training course, try to do research to discover that offer quality education that best suits your needs...


The fastest-growing jobs for women - Financial Post

The fastest-growing jobs for women
Financial Post
In other health-related jobs, dental hygienists (No. 5) are experiencing a 36% job growth and earn a median of US$67500 per year. The top 90% of dental .

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Monitor newspaper seeks circulation/office support assistant
If you have a knack for organization and multi-tasking, we would like to talk to you. This is a full-time position, but part-time applicants will be considered. Must be able to coordinate tasks between several departments including circulation, editorial, advertising and office management. Computer experience a must...


Southern Maryland volunteer opportunities - Washington Post

Southern Maryland volunteer opportunities
Washington Post
Health Partners Free Clinic in Waldorf needs volunteer dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, physicians and receptionists. .

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Business/Dental Assistant (Royal Oak) - Health Care Assistant Jobs
If you are searching for the EURrightEUR practice and want your efforts to be rewarded, our growing practice is EURITEUR! We offer 5 star customer service in a warm, caring environment and are in need of an experienced Business/Dental Assistant ...


Netcong, NJ, widow asks court to block her layoff from borough job
Alleging age discrimination, a 72-year-old widow who has worked for Netcong since 1989 is asking a judge to intervene in the borough's decision to lay her off...


Clinical Dental Assistant (Huntington Beach) - Health Care .
Cheerful, warm, enthusiastic and very special are the words that best describe our dental team and office environment in Huntington Beach. We seek your superior clinical skills to enhance our patients' quality of care...


Dental Hygienist - KWTX

Dental Hygienist
KWTX
Patient centered practice seeking full time dental hygienist. Applicant must have one to two years experience working in the field. .

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Statement of Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez at a Hearing on the Americans .
WASHINGTON, July 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is the statement of Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez at a hearing on the Americans With Disabilities Act:..


Experienced Dental Assistant (Downers Grove & Lemont) - Health .
We are looking for a hardworking, EXPERIENCED dental assistant for our busy Downers Grove and Lemont dental offices. Candidates must have at least 2 years experience with four-handed chairside assisting. This position may begin as part ...


New app could help patients to understand dental problems - Cosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release)

New app could help patients to understand dental problems
Cosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release)
The website contains information about oral hygiene, improving oral health and details of oral health conditions and an increasing number of people have .
Free dental treatment application availableDentistry IQ

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Dental Researchers Discover Oral Cancer Bio-Marker
Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine researchers discovered a biomarker, called human beta defensin-3 (hBD-3), which may serve as an early warning. The defensin is present in all oral cancers and associated with the early stages of oral cancer...


First American Indian dentist pens book
George Blue Spruce, an associate dean at A.T. Still University in Mesa, sums up 70 years of struggle and achievement in his memoir, ''Searching For My Destiny.''..


Experienced Dental Assistant (Upper West Side) - Health Care .
Seeking an exceptional team member to be a part of our DENTAL TEAM. Are you interested in providing quality care in a family practice where the patient comes 1st and the staff works as a team? If so, we need you!..


Flexible Part-time Dental Assistant (dublin / pleasanton .
Are you the missing piece? Dental Assistant, Part-time to work in friendly attractive Pleasanton general practice. Must have X-ray license, be responsible, flexible, personable, neat, and reliable. Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 5:30 PM ...



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