Dental assistants work in a well-lit, clean environment either chair-side with a dentist or in an administrative role or lab setting.  Full-time and part-time positions offering day and/or evening hours are available, offering a diverse range of work settings from large corporations with multiple locations to smaller private practices. Dental assistants may also work in schools, hospital settings and the military.

Working alongside a dentist, the dental assistant's patient care work includes:

• Handling instruments and operating dental equipment
• Sterilizing instruments and equipment
• Taking dental x-rays and processing the film
• Removing sutures
• Applying topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth
• Placing rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment
• Sitting chairside with the dentist to assist with procedures
• Obtaining health and dental history information from patients
• Producing diagnostic dental x-rays to aid in treatment planning
• Applying current infection control techniques within the dental office
• Performing expanded functions, such as polishing, applying sealants and others, with appropriate training in line with state mandates

In addition, these professionals can also be involved in office-related tasks such as scheduling and confirming appointments, maintaining treatment records, handling patient payments and ordering supplies and other materials.

There are a variety of settings in which a dental assistant can work. Those include, but are not limited to, private practice, clinics, military positions, correctional facilities, nursing homes, schools, health departments and labs.  Herzing University provides its dental assistant program graduates with a wide range of skills that can be applied to a variety of settings.

Professional dental assistants demonstrate exceptional time management skills, multitasking abilities, are detailed oriented, and contribute to a positive team environment while focusing on patient care as a top priority.

Dental assistants help dentists deliver dental care to patients by taking on a mix of patient care and administrative duties. Their scope of practice depends on state regulations, but common responsibilities of a dental assistant include:

• Prepare patients for treatments and procedures
• Take x-rays
• Recordkeeping
• Scheduling appointments
• Assist patients in billing and payment
• Sterilizing instruments, and assisting dentists during procedures
• Taking medical history, blood pressure, and pulse before a procedure
• Talk to patients about proper oral hygiene

What dental assistants do on a daily basis depends on the specific roles and responsibilities included in the job description, which can vary by employer.

Dental assisting can be hard if it’s not the right type of job for your personality—or if you’re unprepared to succeed in the position.

Earning a formal education helps you build the knowledge and skills to be comfortable in the role right from the start.

Dental assisting can be a great career choice for the right type of person!

If you have good interpersonal, listening, and organizational skills, you have the potential to be an excellent dental assistant. Dental assistants can take on many types of tasks, and you must be prepared to be a versatile team player, eager to do whatever is needed to help things run smoothly.

Dental assistants typically enjoy regular office hours (evenings and/or weekends, in some cases), a variety of job duties, and a strong foundation of experience to advance their career in the future.

Enrolling in a diploma or degree program to become a dental assistant can really be worth it!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants earn an average salary of $47,350 per year ($22.77 per hour).*

Dental assistants in the state of Minnesota earn an average salary of $53,080 per year ($25.52 per hour), which represents the highest state average in the country.

It can take less than 2 years to become a dental assistant well-prepared to succeed right from the start.

How much less depends on what educational pathway you choose. With Herzing University in Minneapolis you have two options:

• Diploma in Dental Assisting: 16 months (average)
• Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting: 20 months (average)

Once you’ve graduated, all that’s left is getting certified to position yourself best to find your first job in dental assisting.

With Herzing University you are never alone in paying for dental assisting school. There are  many potential options for financial aid, including loans, scholarships, VA/military benefits, and more. Please contact us for eligibility.

You can use the Herzing Tuition Wizard to determine the cost of tuition for our diploma or associate degree in dental assisting, available through our Minneapolis campus.