Dental Assistants Description OES Code: 660020 Assist dentist at chair, set up patient and equipment, keep records, and perform related duties as required. CA Wages/hour median range New, no experience: $8.00 minimum – $13.00 New, experienced: $10.00 minimum – $16.15 3 yrs+ experience: $12.50 $7.00 – $19.18 There is a very wide range in Dental Assistant wages, depending on education, experience, job duties and responsibilities, and location. Local Wages • CCOIS Survey • OES Survey Hours & Benefits Most Dental Assistants work day time hours and at least 36 hours a week. An estimated one in five hold part time jobs. Almost all dentists offer paid health insurance, and many also pay for dental insurance. Paid vacation and sick leave are benefits that almost all assistants can expect. Retirement plans and life insurance are provided by some employers. Employment Trends Employment 1996 29,280 Projected Employment 2006 41,300 Growth Rate 1996-2006 41.1% Openings due to Separations 8,630 Employment Trends by California County Dental Assistants is one of California's top fifty fastest growth occupations. Advancement There aren't many promotional opportunities for Dental Assistants. Those who become RDAs or learn something about dental technician work make more money. In big offices where a lot of dentists work together, an assistant may be promoted to office supervisor or manager. Dental assistants are often selected over other candidates if they apply for Dental Hygienist training. Getting the Job & Other Information Dental Assistant jobs are found through dental assistant school placement services, personal references, applying to dental offices, and ads in newspapers. Applicants should also register with the California Employment Development Department. For current job listings, browse CalJOBS or America's Job Bank. References Note: The references below (and/or on other parts of this page) will link to pages on the internet outside the Career Video system. California Occupational Guide: Dental Assistnats #27 Related Occupation: Dental Hygienists #155, Dispensing Opticians #167, Medical Secretaties #177, Dental Laboratory Technicians #243, Dentists #377, Surgical Technicians #462 Training: California State Training Inventory © State of California EDD/LMID, US Department of Labor Unless indicated otherwise, wage data is based on Statewide aggregated CCOIS survey responses between 1995 and 1997. Questions or Comments? Contact us.

Click arrow at bottom left of image to begin. Requires QuickTime Education and Training Employers prefer applicants who have completed a Dental Assistant training program. Training can be obtained through community colleges and public and private adult vocational schools. Many high schools give this training through their Regional Occupational Program (ROP). The California Dental Assistants Association recommends a one or two year program approved by the Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association. The California Board of Dental Examiners tests and certifies Registered Dental Assistants. RDA applicants must have graduated from an approved educational training program or done satisfactory work as a dental assistant for eighteen months and pass the RDA written and performance test. RDAs must meet continuing educational requirements for renewal of their certification every two years. Dental Assistant schools are responsible for radiation safety training; they also do the certifications needed for assistants to legally take dental X- rays. Skills & Other Requirements Results from surveyed dentists show that certain skills are necessary for Dental Assistants. These skills include knowledge of dental materials and procedures, recordkeeping, spoken and written communications skills, friendliness, and willingness to work closely with other dental team members. Dentists prefer to hire applicants who are eager to learn and show willingness to adapt to busy and fast work. Dental Assistants take impressions of teeth for diagnosis, remove stitches and dressings, and give fluoride treatments when working with the dentist. Assistants may also do clerical duties such as making appointments, keeping case records, handling billing and payment, and handling patient dental insurance. REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANTS (RDAs) do more complex work. They may obtain tooth pulp cultures, test tooth pulp health and apply dressings after a tooth is pulled with the dentist in the room. They can also do mouth inspections, charting, and placing or removing dressings even when the dentist is not around.