What Does a Dental Assistant Do?

There are several ways to become a dental assistant. 

The requirements vary by state. Some states only require supervised, on-the-job training. Several states require dental assistants to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam. 

Community colleges, trade schools and technical schools offer training programs that include classroom instruction, lab work and supervised practical experience. (Learn the difference between trade school, technical college and community college.) Students learn about dental instruments, dental terminology, teeth, gums and other areas of the mouth. 

Look for programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Most states don’t require a license, but getting licensed or registered may create job opportunities. Depending on the state, a separate license may be required to take X-rays. SkillPointe makes it easy to find each state’s licensing requirements. (See link below). Another resource to check is the Dental Assisting National Board, which spells out allowable duties by state. 

Programs vary in length. Some take a year or less to complete and lead to a certificate or diploma. Other programs last two years and lead to an associate degree. 

Dental assistants can also earn certifications, which can open up new opportunities. Some certifications include Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) and Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA).

There’s room to grow in this career. A dental assistant can get additional training and become a dental hygienist, who does more of the unsupervised, hands-on clinical work. 

Most dental assistants work full-time. Some dental assistants work part-time and may cover evening or weekend shifts, depending on when the office is open. 

There’s plenty of opportunity as a dental assistant. Demand for this job is expected to grow 11% between 2020 and 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Successful candidates tend to share these traits: 

• Good communication skills
• Empathetic and compassionate
• Willing and eager to learn new tasks
• Detail-oriented
• Good dexterity
• Tech-savvy and able to pick up new computer applications quickly
• Strong organizational skills
• Able to move smoothly and quickly from one task to another