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Doctors are not the only health professionals who have assistants in the form of nurses – dentists also have their own in the form of dental assistants. Dental assistants generally work under the direct supervision of the dentist, and help in providing quality dental service. In 2008 alone, about 295,000 dental assistant jobs were held based on the data recorded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Before one can get access to dental assistant jobs, undergoing adequate education and training is necessary. Every state will have their own requirements, and some may not even require having a college degree, although “on-the-job” training and being certified is generally mandated. There are also dental assisting programs available but the one you plan on enrolling in must have received accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (American Dental Association).

Once you complete your dental assisting program or have undergone adequate “on-the-job” training, the next step will be to successfully complete a licensure exam which is issued by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). As previously mentioned, this is a crucial requirement prior to applying for dental assistant jobs. As a dental assistant, you must also be able to work well with other people, be physically fit, and have good manual dexterity.

Dental offices are the usual place of employment for dental assistants, but nowadays they can also be found working in government agencies, mobile dental facilities, and even the military as well. Individuals can apply for better dental assistant jobs or get career advancements in the form of dental hygienists or dental assisting instructors by receiving further education and gaining sufficient working experience.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dental assistant jobs had an average hourly and annual wage of .57 and ,380 respectively during 2008. Dental assistant careers are projected to have a growth rate of at least 20% from 2008 to 2018, while job openings are projected at 161,000. Data reveals that the top industries employing dental assistants are health care and social assistance with a 96% employment rate.

Statistics clearly suggest the increasing trend in the demand for dental assistant jobs as dentists expand and widen their scope of work. Since dentists will need to tend to more complex and vital tasks, they will need dental assistants to accomplish less complicated dental procedures for them and make sure that the dental office runs smoothly.