Dental Assistant: Job Description and Outlook for 2017
The country is still basically crawling its way out of recession. With so many unemployed people and many more still fearing to get laid off, the big question now, particularly for those who are just about to join the workforce is: do I have a job waiting for me? If you are thinking of becoming a dental assistant, then read on about how 2017 is shaping up for you.
If you are a dental assistant, then the future looks promising. For 2017, there is an expected rise in employment for dental assistants as dentists are expected to hire more assistants to do the usual routine tasks as well as other simple procedures so that they can devote more of their time on complex procedures. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the future looks really good for dental assistants as their chances of getting employed is rising much faster compared to other jobs.
In the same report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an expected 36 percent growth in the demand for dental assistants from 2015 to 2025. So not only is your 2017 secured, but you can breathe easy for the next 7 years. However, though most dental assistant jobs are entry-level, more and more dentists now prefer to hire assistants with experience so if you are joining the workforce soon, it might be a great idea to volunteer for hands-on training.
With the future looking real good for you and as long as you comply with state requirements, then you shouldn’t have any trouble looking for a job. You can be on your way to becoming a great dental assistant. But do you know what a dental assistant does?
Roles and Responsibilities of a Dental Assistant
It’s basic that you have to know what a dental assistant does before you actually take the job on. Of course, it is different learning in school or during training what you’re actual tasks might be since a dental assistant performs a variety of tasks. The best thing to do is to be prepared so that when you do start as a dental assistant, you won’t be fumbling and messing up too much.
As a dental assistant, it’s basically a given what your job will be. Your primary duty is of course to assist the dentist. The question is: assist him how? This is where variety comes into your job. You could be performing office tasks like setting up appointments with clients, filing client’s information as well as other administrative tasks. On the other side, you will also be assisting him during dental procedures. You may have to prep the client before hand as well as interview them. You might have to sterilize the equipment. You might also have to be the one to talk to clients about keeping their teeth healthy as well as educate them on proper dental hygiene.
There is really no list as to what you are allowed and not allowed as well as expected and not expected to do as a dental assistant. What you can do is make sure that you read up on what you have to know to better assist a dentist, and don’t forget to ask particularly if you are just starting out. Your dentist will know that you need guidance and as such, will provide you with it. Don’t pretend that you know something when you don’t and just end up looking like a fool, worse, you might just hurt someone.
Dental Assistants vs Dental Hygienists
You have probably heard of dental hygienists and think that this is basically the same thing as a dental assistant. You couldn’t be more wrong. A dental assistant and a dental hygienist both assist the dentist but they play different roles and in fact, they receive different rates.
A dental hygienist gets to do more than a dental assistant. A dental assistant is usually constricted to simple tasks that do not usually involve the handling of any dental tools or equipment like at most, they could x-ray a client’s teeth but nothing more. A dental hygienist on the other hand can perform more clinical procedures like administering anesthesia, removing deposits from the teeth as well as applying fluoride and other tooth decay preventives to the tooth. Of course, a dental hygienist will be paid more than a dental assistant and this is basically because the difference in education. To be a dental assistant, you don’t need a diploma or a certificate. In fact, at the very least, you just need and equivalent of 12 months of on-the-job training to qualify.
A dental hygienist on the other hand must have a two-year associate or four-year bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene. On top of that, they have to pass a national exam before they can actually practice. That means they have to attend one of the accredited dental hygiene schools in California.
Difference in Pay Between Dental Assistants and Dental Hygienists
Because there are such a big differences in training and education between dental assistants and dental hygienists, there is a huge difference in salary, as well. The dental hygienist salary for someone just out of school can start as high as $55.00 per hour. Contrast that with newly trained dental assistants. The average dental assistant salary for someone new to the job is $15.30 per hour.
So, are you ready to become a dental assistant? If so, find out more about the job particularly about training and salary as well as courses that you can take to help you become one.