If you like the idea of helping people and you work well as a team player, a career as a dental assistant might be a great fit for you. Dental offices are busy and dental assistants interact with many people throughout the day. Good communication skills and the ability to multitask are important in this line of work. In order to excel as a dental assistant, you’ll want to find a good training program to set you up for success.

Smiling dental assistant cleaning and sterilizing dental tools in a dental office.

What Does a Dental Assistant Do?

As a dental assistant, you will be responsible for assisting the dentist in providing quality dental care to patients. This may include tasks like preparing the patient room for treatment, taking x-rays, and explaining procedures to patients. This means that dental assistants do need some good social skills since they will be interacting directly with patients on a regular basis. 

Why Become a Dental Assistant?

If you are looking for a career where you can make a difference in people’s lives, then becoming a dental assistant may be the perfect fit for you. This is especially true if you don’t want to spend the better part of a decade going to school for other healthcare-related jobs. In addition to helping others, you can also expect to work in a positive and supportive environment. Dental assistants often enjoy a good working relationship with their coworkers and patients.

It’s also worth noting that there’s always a need for dental assistants, especially as the population continues to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, dental assistant jobs are expected to grow 11 percent over the next decade. Additionally, dental assistants are paid well. In 2020, the median pay for dental assistants was $41,180 per year.

How To Become a Dental Assistant

If you’re thinking about becoming a dental assistant, then you’ll want to take the following steps:

  1. Decide if you want to become a dental assistant: The first thing you should do is decide if becoming a dental assistant is right for you. Contact a local dental office and speak with one of the assistants working there. You’re bound to find someone who is willing to talk to you about their experiences. They can answer any questions you have about the position as well as share what they like and don’t like about the job.

  2. Choose an educational path: There are several ways to go about becoming a dental assistant. Certificate programs are available that can be completed in as little as 12 weeks.

  3. Start your career: Once you have completed all of the necessary steps, it’s time to start your new career as a dental assistant. Job placement assistance is available for all South Florida Dental Assisting School graduates. Dentists and dental personnel recruiters contact our program when looking for qualified dental assistant graduates. We also continually contact local dentists to notify them of upcoming graduating classes.

There is no better time than now to start a new career, and becoming a dental assistant is a great line of work to consider. In addition to great pay, benefits, and becoming part of a team, you’ll find that working as a dental assistant is very rewarding. If you’re ready to pursue a career as a dental assistant, please contact us at South Florida Dental Assisting School for enrollment information or to ask our friendly staff any questions you may have about our training program.