Dental Assistant
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
At a Glance
Dental Assistant earns an average of $46,293/yr. Typical education: High school or GED. Experience: 2.2–2.4 years. Top skills: Dentistry, Customer Service, Oral Health.
$46,293/yr
High school or GED
2.2–2.4 years
36
Parent Occupation (O*NET)
Dental Assistants
Median Wage
$47,300/yr
Growth (2024-34)
+6.4%
Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Skills & Requirements
Specialized Skills (21)
Dentistry
Oral Health
Patient Preparation
Infection Control
Dental Radiography
Sterilization
Oral Hygiene
Dental Surgery
Oral Care
Dental Procedures
State Regulations
Radiography
Patient Education And Counseling
Dental Assisting
Patient Treatment
Patient Flow
Orthodontics
Dental Therapy
Dental Care
Dental Instruments
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Common Skills (7)
Customer Service
Communication
Computer Literacy
Detail Oriented
Management
Operations
Certifications (2)
Registered Dental Assistant
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
Related Specializations
Other specialized occupations in this field. Many share overlapping skills, making lateral moves more accessible.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
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