How To Become a Dental Assistant
Reviewed by: Celeste Yeik, RDH
Update January 2025
Oral care is a core healthcare need across every demographic, regardless of location or economic status. Although not everyone has access to high quality dental care, the need is ever present. A high-functioning dental team consists of not only trained dentists, but also dental hygienists and dental assistants. Each role is vital to the proper care of dental patients. For those interested in pursuing a new career as a dental assistant, there’s good news — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% growth in this career field through 2033.
Primary responsibilities of a Dental Assistant
A dental assistant supports both dental patients and the dental care team. There primary responsibilities may include:
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Prepare the work area and help patients get settled into their dental chair for an appointment
- Supporting dentists during treatments or procedures, including handing instruments and positioning suction hoses and other equipment to support patient comfort
- Discuss proper oral hygiene with patients
- Schedule patient appointments
- Keep records of dental treatments and procedures
- Process x-rays and laboratory tests
Beyond these tasks, some qualities that are associated with successful dental assistants include:
- Organized and detail-oriented
- Dexterity
- Interpersonal communication
- Compassion and empathy
- Multi-tasking
- Reliable
- Time management
- Positive attitude
Salary potential of a Dental Assistant in the U.S.
Before choosing a career path, it’s important to know your earning potential so you can have greater confidence that this newfound career will appropriately fund your lifestyle going forward.
The median annual salary for dental assistants is $46,540, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The exact salary that you can expect will vary based on location, years of experience, certification, and more.
The top five cities with the highest paying dental assistant jobs, according to Indeed, include:
- San Francisco, CA: $61,609
- Portland, OR: $55,494
- New York, NY: $50,980
- Louisville, KY: $45,011
- Knoxville, TN: $44,512
To determine the typical salary range for an entry-level dental assistant role in your area, be sure to check out local job postings. These will give you a good idea of not only the salary range, but also role expectations and any desired certifications that you should have on your radar.
Steps to become a Dental Assistant
Ready to begin your journey toward a rewarding career as a dental assistant? There are just a couple of steps you need to take to get started.
- Earn your high school diploma Entry-level dental assistant positions typically require a high school diploma or equivalent as the minimum education requirement.
- Gain targeted dental assistant career education and skills. Many employers look for candidates who have a working knowledge of dental terminology and procedures. To gain that knowledge, career training is often a great solution. For example, U.S. Career Institute offers a professional dental assistant certificate program that prepares students with the knowledge they need to start their career as a dental assistant.
- Pursue an industry-recognized certification. Beyond initial training, some professionals may choose to pursue industry certification. The dental assistant certificate program through U.S. Career Institute is designed to prepare students to sit for the nationally recognized Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification exam, which is administered through the American Medical Technologists (AMT) association.
- Attain state licensure to practice as a dental assistant, if appropriate. Dental assistants may need to meet certain regulations and requirements for certification, training, registration, and licensure. These regulations and requirements vary by state. Although most states do not require licensure, it’s important to verify the requirements within your state through the Dental Assisting National Board.
Verifying licensing requirements is particularly important for residents of California, Washington DC, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee.
View State Licensing Requirements: Licensure Information by State
What's next?
Your career as a dental assistant is within reach. The first step is always the hardest but it’s also essential to get where you want to go. Whether you need to finish your high school diploma or you’re ready to gain the knowledge and skills needed to meet entry-level requirements for a dental assistant position, U.S. Career Institute has your covered.
