Future Job Opportunities Of A Dental Assistant

Dental assistant earnings can vary, such elements as experience and the business office location. But before we dig deep into all the various details concerning the wages for dental assistants, lets clear up what precisely a dental assistant does.

Dental Assistants perform a assortment of patient care, business office, and laboratory responsibilities. A dentist relies on a good dental assistant to assist them during a dental examination and treatments, and as such are considered an essential part of the team. A dental assistant aids patients to become relaxed and comfortable while waiting for their dental work to begin.

Dental assistants are more commonly known for assisting the dentist during the treatment of patients. They would usually hand him the equipment required as well as cleaning the patient's mouth of any debris. The job of an assistant could also include mixing filling compounds, take impressions of teeth, and give patients postoperative instructions.

Future job chances will increase, driven by the growth of an ageing population more partial to gum disease and related dental health conditions. Another reason that dentists are in high demand is that people are looking after their teeth more therefore keeping their natural teeth longer.

Statistics from the occupational job survey of employers, 2001, shows an increase for dental assistant Earnings from $12.18 to $15.55, which makes an average hourly wage of $13.50. But as mentioned, Earnings depend on a variety of different elements including the individual's education, experience, skills, type of employer, and business office position (in geographic terms).

One thing is for sure though - fully-licensed dental assistants and certified dental assistants in Extended Functions may expect to receive higher Wages. Fully accredited dental assistants and registered dental assistants in a practice where they would be required to carry out extra duties can expect a higher earnings.