Dental Assistant
The dental assistant increases the efficiency of the dental care team by aiding the dentist in the delivery of oral health care. The dental assistant performs a wide range of tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills. Duties range from aiding and educating patients to preparing and sterilizing dental instruments and performing administrative work.
History
In 1957, the Council on Dental Education sponsored the first national workshop on dental assisting. Practicing dentists, dental educators, and dental assistants made recommendations for the education and certification of dental assistants. These recommendations were considered in developing the first Requirements for an Accredited Program in Dental Assisting Education, which were approved by the ADA House of Delegates in 1960. Prior to 1960, the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) approved courses of training for dental assistants, varying in length from 104-clock hours to 2 academic years. Subsequent to the adoption in 1960 of the first accreditation standards, the Council on Dental Education granted provisional approval to those programs approved by the ADAA that were at least 1 academic year in length until site visits could be conducted. Thus, 26 programs appeared on the first list of accredited dental assisting programs, published in 1961.
Job Description
Dental assistants are responsible for:
•Helping patients feel comfortable before, during, and after treatment
•Assisting the dentist during treatment
•Exposing and processing dental radiographs (x-rays) (Note: Currently, 31 states require dental assistants to complete additional education and/or examinations to perform this function.)
•Recording the patient’s medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse
•Preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment for the dentist’s use
•Providing patients with oral care instructions following such procedures as surgery or placement of a restoration (filling)
•Teaching patients proper brushing and flossing techniques
•Making impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts (Note: Most states consider this to be an expanded function, requiring additional education and/or examination to perform it.)
•Performing administrative and scheduling tasks, including using a personal computer, communicating by telephone, and maintaining an inventory supply system.
Many states provide a career ladder for dental assistants, allowing them to perform expanded functions, most often with additional education, examinations, and/or credentials. The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) provides state-specific information on dental assisting requirements and which duties they are allowed to perform; see: www.danb.org.
Employment Characteristics
Most of the more than 247,000 active dental assistants are employed by general dentists. In addition, dental specialists employ dental assistants. Most assistants work chairside, although they may also participate in the business aspects of the practice. Besides dental offices, other employment settings available to dental assistants include:
•Schools and clinics (public health dentistry)
•Hospitals (assisting dentists who are treating bedridden patients or in more elaborate dental procedures performed only in hospitals)
•Dental school clinics
•Insurance companies (processing dental insurance claims)
•Vocational schools, technical institutes, community colleges, and universities (teaching others to be dental assistants)
Dental assisting offers both flexibility and stability. Dental assistants have the flexibility to work full or part time. According to DANB’s 2008 CDA Salary Survey, those who are Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) by DANB work in the dental assisting field for an average of 16.7 years, 9.4 years with the same employer dentist.
Excellent career opportunities exist for nontraditional dental assisting students, seeking career change or job reentry after a period of unemployment, or from a culturally diverse background. Many dental assisting education programs offer more flexible program designs that meet the needs of nontraditional students by offering a variety of educational options, such as part-time or evening hours.
Salary
The salary of a dental assistant varies, depending on the responsibilities associated with the specific position, the individual’s training, and the geographic location of employment. The average wage for a full-time dental assistant, in all practice settings, is $18.50 an hour, while full time dental assistants employed in general dentistry offices earn, on average, $17.68 an hour (DANB’s 2008 CDA Salary Survey, www.danb.org/PDFs/2008SalarySurvey.pdf).
The May 2008 data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show that wages at the 10th percentile are $22,270, the 50th percentile (median) at $32,380, and the 90th percentile at $46,150 (www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes319091.htm). For more information, refer to www.ama-assn.org/go/hpsalary.
In addition to salary, dental assistants may receive benefit packages from their employers, including health and disability insurance coverage, dues for membership in professional organizations, an allowance for uniforms, profit sharing plans, and paid vacations.
Employment Outlook
Most areas of the country are currently reporting shortages of dental assistants. Owing to the success of preventive dentistry in reducing the incidence of oral disease, senior citizens—a growing population—will retain their teeth longer and will be even more aware of the importance of regular dental care. Employment is expected to grow 36% from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, dental assistants are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations over the 2008–18 projection period (www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm).
Educational Programs
Length. Nine to 11 months.
Prerequisites. High school diploma or equivalent.
Certification
Dental assistants can earn one of two national certifications through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB): the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and the Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA).
To become a CDA, a dental assistant must meet eligibility prerequisites and then pass the CDA exam, which is composed of three component exams: Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE), and General Chairside Assisting (GC). The ICE and RHS component exams do not have any eligibility requirements.
Eligible candidates may take all three component exams separately or in one test administration (the full CDA exam). Candidates will earn DANB CDA Certification if they pass all three component exams within a five-year period. Passing all three components of the CDA exam as required qualifies a dental assistant to use the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification mark for a period of 1 year. To become a COA, a dental assistant must meet eligibility prerequisites and then pass the Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) exam, which is composed of two component exams: Infection Control (ICE) and Orthodontic Assisting (OA). The ICE component exam does not have any eligibility requirements.
Eligible candidates may take both component exams separately or in one test administration (the full COA exam). Candidates will earn the DANB COA Certification if they pass both component exams within a five-year period. Passing both components of the COA exam as required qualifies a dental assistant to use the Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA) certification mark for a period of 1 year.
Thirty-seven states, plus the District of Columbia, the Veterans Administration, and the US Air Force, currently recognize or require dental assistants to take the CDA exam or one of the CDA component exams. Most states do not have separate requirements for orthodontic assistants. For those that do, the COA exam is required or recognized in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Oregon. State regulations vary, and some states offer registration or licensure in addition to this national certification program. For state-specific information about dental assisting requirements, contact your state’s dental board or go to www.danb.org.
Recertification
To maintain eligibility to continue to use the CDA or COA certification marks, individuals must meet DANB’s Recertification Requirements, which consist of holding current DANB-accepted CPR certification, completing at least 12 hours of continuing dental education annually, and paying an annual renewal fee (currently $55).
Inquiries
Careers/Curriculum
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
(312) 440-2390
www.ada.org/prof/ed/careers
American Dental Education Association
1400 K Street NW, Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 289-7201
www.adea.org
American Dental Assistants Association
35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1730
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 541-1550
www.dentalassistant.org
Certification
Dental Assisting National Board, Inc
444 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 900
