Concorde Career College – Dental Assistant
Get the skills you need for a healthcare career that will bring you respect and stability. Campus located in Tampa, Jacksonville, and Miramar, FL.
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Lincoln College of Technology – Dental
Lincoln College of Technology provides Diploma and Associate Degree Programs, Hands-on Training, Career Placement Assistance and Financial Aid. Campus located in West Palm Beach, FL.
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Sanford Brown Institute – Dental Assistant
At Sanford-Brown Institute, our short-term programs are designed to teach you the knowledge and hands-on skills you need to get into the healthcare field you want. Campus located in Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa, FL.
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Dental Assistant Job Responsibilities

If your looking for a career where you can help people and be an important part of a professional team, then a dental assistant career may be what your looking for. These trained assistants are needed in dental offices to work with dentist and patients, providing important services that the dentist depends on to run a smooth and effective dental practice. Dental assistant responsibilities range from assisting the dentist during procedures to office duties, such as billing and insurance.

Education and Certification

All schools require a high-school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma. Training usually takes 9-12 months with an average of 1,230 hours of studies in a dental assistant approved program. Dental assistants do on-the-job training and receive training for certification in radiography and other expanded procedures. Upon completion of an accredited program the student will receive a certificate. Dental assistants who do on the job training can also be certified in x-ray and expanded procedures by taking more courses and becoming certified. National certification requires passing the dental assisting board exam. Florida offers 15 Board of Dentistry-approved dental assistant programs and 25 accredited programs. These include technical centers, community colleges and private colleges.

Cost and Financial Aid

Cost for accredited dental assistant programs is approximately $3,500 at a community college and $2,200 at a technical school, with higher cost at private schools priced at around $7,200. Financial aid is available for students who are qualified. Federal, state and private loans are available along with scholarship programs.

Career Opportunities in Florida

With ninety-four percent of all dental practices employing dental assistants, Florida suffers a shortage of these much needed professionals. Dental Organizations now use placement services to assist dentist with finding qualified dental assistants. With an average of 910 new openings for dental assistants per year in Florida and growth rate at 3.3 percent, this profession is the highest growing health-related job in this state. Many job opportunities offer on-the-job training and are entry-level positions.

Salary

Dental assistants make an average of $16.55 an hour as of 2009, depending of the practice they are employed by. Most dental practices also offer benefits such as health insurance, paid vacations and holidays. Some also offer continuing education reimbursement and pension plans, along with profit sharing.