When it comes to careers in the oral healthcare field in the U.S., dental assistants are one of those that are in great demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for dental assistants was around $38,660 in May 2021. That’s great, considering you don’t have to spend years in a college accruing massive student loan debt. Additionally, employment of dental assistants is expected to rise 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, which is quicker than the average for occupations in general.
Why Dental Assisting?
It is also estimated that around 44,000 openings for dental assistants will arise every year for the next ten years. These openings are projected to replace current dental assistants leaving the field to enter different occupations or retire. There are various reasons for this growth, including the aging of the general population and the increasing availability of good quality oral healthcare insurance.
As a dental assistant, you will be tasked to provide a range of support to both dentists and the administrative staff as well. Dental assistants often schedule patient appointments, take X-rays, and work with hygienists and dentists to provide patient treatment. Some dental assistants routinely help with clerical and administrative tasks like charting, filing or submitting insurance claims.
Our Dental Assisting Institute of Virginia offers you a complete curriculum to earn a diploma in dental assisting in as little as 13 weeks! Our program begins with 78 hours of comprehensive classroom lectures coupled with hands-on lab work. After finishing that, you will receive 50 hours of real-world experience in an active internship. This hands-on training will help you learn the technical skills and experience potential employers are seeking. Additionally, every clinic participating in our internship program is excited to help train future dental assistants and give them the real-world experience needed to join a professional dental team.
Contact Dental Assisting Institute of Virginia
If you are ready to begin a rewarding, in-demand career in the oral healthcare industry, please call our Dental Assisting Institute of Virginia in Colonial Heights, Virginia, at 804-526-0231. We will help you apply for the dental assistant program that can change your life!
