What is Dental Assistant Pay.

Becoming a dental assistant not only prepares you for a great career  in the dental field, it also pays you very well. As this  employment sector is predicted to be one of the most in-demand in  the next six years, there is a good chance that you will land a good job with high salary and benefits. 

The average hourly  pay for dental assistants is $13. This is much higher than the minimum wage established in most states. In addition to excellent hourly wages, many dental aides will receive bonuses if their dental practice is good, health insurance, and discounts on dental procedures. Almost all Dental Assistants receive paid vacation days, sick days, and paid holidays.  However, earning such a high hourly wage comes with a great level of responsibility.

Dental Assistants perform duties relating to patient care, office sanitation, lab duties, and assisting the dentist and hygienist with a variety of procedures. Dental Assistants need to be alert, pay attention to detail, and have effective communication skills. They must also be able to provide patients with comfort measures both before and after procedures are completed. 

Dental assistants are easily confused with dental hygienists. Compared to hygienists, who earn an average of $23.65 an hour, a dental assistant doesn't earn very high hourly wages. However, they are very different professions.  Dental assistants do just that, helping dentists and hygienists deliver the best quality care to all patients.

A hygienist takes care of cleanings and usually has a steady stream of patients visits every six months for oral hygiene procedures.  Compensation for a dental assistant depends on many factors. The cost of living in your area will have the biggest impact. The income generated from the dental establishment you work in will also be a determining factor.

New dentists may pay less than established dentists  because they don't have  traffic to the office. However, chances are your salary will increase as more and more patients are attracted to this dental profession. 

To learn more about dental assistance programs in your area, contact your State Dental Board or  local colleges. You can also find great information about these programs through the Internet. It is very important that you make sure that any program you are considering is accredited in your state. Most programs can be completed in 12 to 24 months. Tuition assistance and scholarship programs are available. Most social service programs will help cover the cost of programs that can be completed in 2 years and have a job market.  Your experience level  will also be considered. You may need to take a position that pays below average to get your foot in the door and gain real-world experience. However, with the demand for dental assistant recruitment, you will not have any difficulty in finding a job.

Many dental facilities want to retain quality dental assistants. They may suggest that you start with a lower entry-level salary, with the understanding that your performance will be reviewed in 90 days or another timeframe. Depending on your performance, your compensation will be adjusted at that time. 

It is important to understand that certified and uncertified dental assistants perform the same types of tasks. However, those who are certified earn several dollars more per hour than those who aren’t certified.

Therefore, it makes perfect sense to take the certification exam early on in your career as a Dental Assistant.