Interested in a career that will make patients smile? Dental assistants held over 270,000 jobs in 2009, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that number is expected to increase far faster than the average for all occupations through 2014. With dental care an important priority in any economy, the dental assisting job market has remained strong.

Dental Assistant Job Description

So what exactly to do dental assistants do for a living? A lot it turns out. They fill a wide variety of roles in the dental office. Some of these include preparing patients for dental procedures, ensuring the sterility of the dental environment, assisting dentists during procedures by providing tools and materials, working with suppliers to schedule deliveries, helping patients schedule appointments, teaching patients about proper oral health, and taking patient x-rays. With all those roles being filled by dental assistants, it’s hard to imagine any dental office could function without them. This broad range of responsibilities also leads to a diverse and interesting work experience.

Is Dental Assisting Right for Me?

The ideal candidate for a dental assistant career is someone who is caring and wants to help others, pays attention to details, is able to follow specific procedures, and enjoys interacting with other people. The wide range of responsibilities means that dental assistants must have a variety of skills and be constantly learning and improving as the dental industry evolves.

The Benefits of a Dental Assisting Career

So why should you become a dental assistant instead of choosing a different profession? There are many reasons. For one, dental assistants earn a very respectable salary. Since everyone needs dental care, they can find employment in almost any community. Since dental care is a constant need, their employment is not normally affected by changes in the economy. Dental assistants also report excellent career satisfaction.

Dental Assistant Career Information

If you’d like to learn more about becoming a dental assistant, our site contains information about dental assistant salaries, how to become certified and the benefits of certification, how school accreditation works and why it’s important, and the different dental assisting courses you’ll complete as part of your trainining. We also provide a guide to finding dental assisting jobs in your area.