Dental Assistants greet patients, prepare them for examinations and treatment, and assist the Dentist. Other duties include preparing solutions, mixing materials, keeping accurate patient treatment records, processing x-rays and sterilizing instruments. Clerical work involved in keeping a smooth running office may also be the responsibility of the dental assistant. Cleaning, polishing, and making uncomplicated repairs on removable partials or complete dentures are other tasks which may be delegated to the Dental Assistant.

Most dental assistants obtain their skills on the job; however, an increasing number are being educated in formal programs. Community colleges, vocational-technical schools and some privately owned schools offer American Dental Association accredited courses for Dental Assistants. The program can be from 9 months to 2 years in length and leads to a certificate or associate degree. No licensing is required. Certification is optional, and NOT usually a requirement for employment, although it may occasionally result in higher wages. Continuing education is required to maintain certification.

• Less than 2 years

Employment of dental assistants is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005. Population growth, higher incomes, and greater retention of natural teeth by middle-aged and older people will fuel demand for dental services. Also, dentists are likely to employ more assistants, for several reasons. Older dentists, who are less likely to employ assistants, will leave and be replaced by recent graduates, who are more likely to use one, or even two. In addition, as dentist’s workloads increase, they are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks, so they may use their own time more profitably. Most job openings for dental assistants will arise from the need to replace assistants who leave the occupation.

Workers in other occupations supporting health practitioners include medical assistants, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, pharmacy assistants, and veterinary technicians.

$25,979

• Concorde Career Institute
• East Central College
• Flint Hills Technical College
• Kaskaskia College
• Nichols Career Center
• Ozarks Technical Community College
• Penn Valley Community College
• St. Louis Community College @ Forest Park
• Wichita Area Technical College

• Aft Healthcare
• American Association Of Dental Schools
• American Dental Assistants Association
• American Dental Association
• Kansas Dental Assistants Association
• National Association Of Dental Assistants
• National Dental Association