Are you looking for a new career? If so, have you considered the idea of becoming a dental assistant? U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the employment levels in dental hygiene are anticipated to grow 19 percent between 2014 and 2024. As a dental assistant, the median annual salary is $36,241, as of June 29, 2018. The salary range is anywhere between $32,161-$40,069.
Not only can you earn a good income doing a job you love, you can provide a valuable benefit to your community. Working in a dental office, your job will be helping patients of all ages properly care for their teeth and gums, and everyone benefits from a healthy smile.
You’ve likely seen firsthand how dental assistants help you – the patient – have a positive dental experience. Whether greeting you when you come in, answering your questions, gathering your current information and maintaining your dental equipment, your dental assistant shapes your experience at your appointment. They may also keep your records, schedule your next appointment, manage office files and make sure you are comfortable, give you valuable care instructions, and prepare you for the dentist’s examination. As you can see, a good dental assistant is an essential and valuable asset for a well-functioning dental team.
If you want to be a part of this team and want to earn a dental assisting diploma, plan on studying for about a year to learn about a variety of subjects, ranging from preventative dentistry, pharmacology, oral health, anatomy, dental hygiene techniques, radiology, dental materials, among others. During your training, you will also have the opportunity to hone your interpersonal communication skills.
If you are looking for a career in dentistry, the Dental Assisting Institute of Virginia is pleased to offer our highly regarded training program where you can obtain individual, hands-on training with our experienced dentist, Dr. Tom G. Schleicher, in an actual, running dental practice. You will be learning in an environment that offers personal, hands-on instruction from our dentist, in a class size of no more than 12 students. We invite you to give us a call at 804-526-0231 to speak with a member of our team. We look forward to helping you achieve your dental assisting career goals.
