Dental Office Assistant: Career Choice
Why Choose to be a Dental Office Assistant?
The Job of the Future
Looking ahead, job prospects for dental office assistants should be excellent according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment growth will account for the majority of job openings along with the need to replace assistants who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave the labor force for other reasons.
The Career
The job of the dental office assistant encompasses all of the business aspects related to
running a dental practice. Some of the duties of the dental office assistant may include
scheduling and confirming appointments, greeting patients, managing patient files,
sending bills, receiving payments, and ordering office supplies and dental materials.
With on-the-job training, the dental office assistant may also assist in chairside duties
such as preparing patients for treatment, obtaining dental records, sterilizing instruments,
and preparing trays of instruments for dental procedures.
Job Opportunities
While the majority of dental office assistants work in dental offices, including solo and group practices, others will find employment in managed care facilities and specialty practices working for periodontists, orthodontists, or oral surgeons. With additional education and training, dental office assistants can move into positions such as office managers, dental-assisting instructors, or dental product sales representatives. Some dental assistants seek certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Graduates of Blackstone's Dental Office Assistant program are eligible for this exam after working full-time for two years or part-time for four years as a dental assistant and obtaining certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Employment Outlook
Factors such as growth of the population and advancements in dental services causing
people to keep their natural teeth longer will contribute to the growing need for dental
office assistants. Younger dentists, who will be more likely to utilize assistants in their
practices, will replace retiring dentists, which will also create more job opportunities.
For many dental office assistants, this entry level position provides experience and
training which often leads to more highly skilled and higher paying jobs.
What You Can Earn
As with many careers, the earning potential of dental office assistants varies depending
on factors such as experience, skills, and geographic location. According to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics, dental office assistants earned up to $41,537 in 2004. Median salaries measured at $28,330 for the same year. Benefits vary and depend on whether the dental
office assistant is part-time or full-time. According to the American Dental Association, 9 out
of 10 part-time and full-time dental assistants received dental coverage.
The Job of the Future
Looking ahead, job prospects for dental office assistants should be excellent according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook produced by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment growth will account for the majority of job openings along with the need to replace assistants who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave the labor force for other reasons.
The Career
The job of the dental office assistant encompasses all of the business aspects related to
running a dental practice. Some of the duties of the dental office assistant may include
scheduling and confirming appointments, greeting patients, managing patient files,
sending bills, receiving payments, and ordering office supplies and dental materials.
With on-the-job training, the dental office assistant may also assist in chairside duties
such as preparing patients for treatment, obtaining dental records, sterilizing instruments,
and preparing trays of instruments for dental procedures.
Job Opportunities
While the majority of dental office assistants work in dental offices, including solo and group practices, others will find employment in managed care facilities and specialty practices working for periodontists, orthodontists, or oral surgeons. With additional education and training, dental office assistants can move into positions such as office managers, dental-assisting instructors, or dental product sales representatives. Some dental assistants seek certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Graduates of Blackstone's Dental Office Assistant program are eligible for this exam after working full-time for two years or part-time for four years as a dental assistant and obtaining certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Employment Outlook
Factors such as growth of the population and advancements in dental services causing
people to keep their natural teeth longer will contribute to the growing need for dental
office assistants. Younger dentists, who will be more likely to utilize assistants in their
practices, will replace retiring dentists, which will also create more job opportunities.
For many dental office assistants, this entry level position provides experience and
training which often leads to more highly skilled and higher paying jobs.
What You Can Earn
As with many careers, the earning potential of dental office assistants varies depending
on factors such as experience, skills, and geographic location. According to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics, dental office assistants earned up to $41,537 in 2004. Median salaries measured at $28,330 for the same year. Benefits vary and depend on whether the dental
office assistant is part-time or full-time. According to the American Dental Association, 9 out
of 10 part-time and full-time dental assistants received dental coverage.
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Blackstone Career Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, Washington D.C., regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools, Philadelphia, PA and licensed by the State Board of Private Licensed Schools, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. BCI provides an excellent foundation for anyone interested in earning a career diploma from home. With more than a century of expertise, Blackstone offers a committed, responsive faculty and a quality education, all at an affordable rate. |
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