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:

 

Kremenliff-Homesley - Enterprise-Record

Kremenliff-Homesley
Enterprise-Record
She received a dental hygiene degree in 2009 from Fresno City College and works as a dental hygienist for Drs. Rosene and Jenkins. .

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Rotary Toothbrush Puts New Spin On Dental Hygiene - Inventorspot

Rotary Toothbrush Puts New Spin On Dental Hygiene
Inventorspot
Still brushing your teeth? Well roll on up to the tooth care of tomorrow with the Kurun S-440 rotating toothbrush from New Century. .

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Brighton clinic touted as the future of medical practices - Denver Post

Brighton clinic touted as the future of medical practices
Denver Post
And on another floor, there is a dental office so patients don't have to leave the building for oral-health care. Next month, dental hygienists will begin .

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IWCC names summer graduates
Approximately 138 individuals participated in summer graduation ceremonies recently at Iowa Western Community College. The following residents fromHarrison County graduated:..


Calgary dental hygienist travels to Kenya to help poor children - Cosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release)

Calgary dental hygienist travels to Kenya to help poor children
Cosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release)
A dental hygienist from Calgary has travelled to Kenya to help children living in poverty. CoraMarie Clark, the founder of The Tooth Fairy Children's .
'Bombed out' teeth in Kenya saddens Tooth FairyCalgary Herald
Local Tooth Fairy helps third-world childrenCTV.ca

all 3 news articles »
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Local employment, 8/20/10
Casa Grande Valley Newspapers seeks display/outside sales representatives..


Surgical Dental Assistant | Bright Teeth Whitening
Surgical Dental Assistant .x-rays sterilization techniques Charting Our office is located in Southeast Denver. Professional Periodontics and Implant...


Dental Assistant Career The Demand for Dental Assistants | Health News
Dental Assistants are essential to the area of dentistry. They work very hard to make sure all the tools are disinfected properly,making the...


Ex-owner sentenced for dragging dog behind car in Lawnside
Lawnside dog dragger William Jefferson stood stone-faced during his 45-minute sentencing here Friday as a Superior Court judge and an assistant prosecutor argued he hasn't taken enough responsibility for nearly killing a defenseless animal...


Dental Assistant (petaluma) - Health Care Assistant Jobs
We are a brand new dental office in Petaluma and are seeking team members who are motivated to grow the business, can be committed for a long term, are looking to build a career and love to be around people...


Uninsured benefit from low-cost services - DentalPlans.com

NOLA.com
Uninsured benefit from low-cost services
DentalPlans.com
The funding will help the clinic hire a part-time dental hygienist and an administrator, which will allow dentists to focus more on patient care and less on .
Dental clinic targets the 'working poor'Cosmetic Dentistry Guide (press release)
IDPH: More children benefit from I-Smile programIowaPolitics.com (press release)

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Oral health drive goes on the road - Dentistry.co.uk

Oral health drive goes on the road
Dentistry.co.uk
And dental hygienists and therapists will be at the mobile toothbrushing units, providing demonstrations of brushing techniques and giving oral care advice. .

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