Career Profile: Dental Assistant
By: Jenn Brusco | March 2025
Oral health is an important facet of an individual’s overall health. And the field of dentistry is the first line of defense against not only oral diseases and conditions, but also cosmetic issues that may affect an individual’s appearance and confidence.
Within the dental office, there are several key roles that help ensure a positive and streamlined experience for the patient:
- Receptionist: The receptionist greets patients as they arrive for appointments, answer phone calls, schedule appointments, coordinate with the dental care team, and more. They are often the first person a patient sees when they arrive, and the last person to finalize their appointment and wish them well on the way out.
- Office Manager: The office manager is responsible for the business side of the dental practice, including hiring team members, coordinating financial arrangements with patients, assigning tasks and setting priorities for team members, and more.
- Dental Assistant: The dental assistant is a member of the dental care team and is responsible for preparing the work area for patients, sterilizing instruments, recording dental treatments, supporting dentists during procedures, and more.
- Dental Hygienist: The dental hygienist is responsible for cleaning and polishing a patient’s teeth, taking dental impressions, assessing oral health, providing guidance and recommendations for effective oral health, and more.
- Dentist: The dentist is the primary oral health provider who not only assesses current oral health but also performs various dental procedures and provides expert guidance on oral health needs and concerns.
For the purposes of this career profile, we will be focusing on the role of the dental assistant.
For those considering a career as a dental assistant, the timing couldn’t be better. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dental assistant jobs are predicted to grow 8% through 2033, which is considered faster than average. The BLS further states that, “About 54,900 openings for dental assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.”
What do dental assistants do?
Dental assistants are important members of the patient care team. Their primary responsibilities may include:
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Prepare the work area and help patients get settled into their dental chair for an appointment
- Supporting dentists during treatments or procedures, including handing instruments and positioning suction hoses and other equipment to support patient comfort
- Discuss proper oral hygiene with patients
- Schedule patient appointments
- Keep records of dental treatments and procedures
- Process x-rays and laboratory tests
Effectively performing dental assistant tasks is great, but it does not show the full picture of a successful dental assistant. Beyond essential tasks, a successful dental assistant will also have the following qualities and soft skills:
- Organized and detail-oriented
- High level of dexterity
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Compassion and empathy
- Ability to multi-task
- Reliable
- Effective time management skills
- Positive attitude
Does this sound like a career you’d thrive in? Let’s dig in to how you can become a dental assistant and kickstart your career.
Training/Education
The minimum education requirement for dental assistants in the United States is a high school diploma or equivalent; however, many employers also require the completion of an accredited dental assisting program as well. Formal dental assistant training provides the knowledge and skills needed to successfully enter the field with confidence and competence. To that end, there are two common levels of dental assistant training programs:
| Program Type | Duration | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant Certificate | Typically, 9-12 months
U.S. Career Institute’s online, self-paced Dental Assistant Certificate Program is typically completed in 5-10 months. |
Estimated range of $1,000 to $10,000, depending on program location (online vs. In-person) and other factors.
U.S. Career Institute’s Dental Assistant Certificate program tuition is $1,539. |
| Dental Assistant Associate Degree | 2 years | Reports estimate a range of $3,500 to $17,000 per year in tuition and fees, depending on location, program format, residency status, and other factors. |
Duration: Typically, 9-12 months U.S. Career Institute’s online, self-paced Dental Assistant Certificate Program is typically completed in 5-10 months.
Cost: Estimated range of $1,000 to $10,000, depending on program location (online vs. In-person) and other factors.
U.S. Career Institute’s Dental Assistant Certificate program tuition is $1,539.
Duration: 2 years
Cost:Reports estimate a range of $3,500 to $17,000 per year in tuition and fees, depending on location, program format, residency status, and other factors.
When considering the cost for a dental assistant program, it’s important to consider the following expenses:
- Application fee
- Tuition – paid in full or payment plan options
- Study materials (electronic vs hard copy)
- Certification exam fees (post-training)
- Length of program (how quickly you’ll be able to earn a salary within your chosen profession)
- Program format and location, which may impact time away from work or family
- Transportation and parking
- Computer or other technology requirements
- Additional program or school fees, as applicable
Which industry-recognized certifications do dental assistants typically get?
Although not required, many dental assistants choose to pursue an industry certification to further demonstrate and acknowledge their knowledge and skills. This can be a great way for dental assistants to stand out to potential employers and give themselves a competitive edge in the job market. Two common certifications for entry-level dental assistants include Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).
| Certification | Certifying Body | Requirements | Potential Impact on Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) | Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) | To earn CDA certification, you must pass the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE), and General Chairside Assisting (GC) exams within a five-year period. There are no eligibility requirements to take the RHS and ICE exams, but you must meet the requirements of one of three eligibility pathways to qualify to take the GC exam. Once you earn the CDA certification, you must renew it annually. Learn more: https://www.danb.org/exams/exam/cda-exam | The median hourly wage for a dental assistant with a CDA credential is $26, which equates to $54,080 annually. |
| Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) | American Medical Technologists (AMT) | To earn an RDA, you must have an active CPR certification and completed an accredited dental assisting training program OR have been employed as a dental assistant for a minimum of three (3) years (5,250 hours) Learn more: https://americanmedtech.org/dental-assistant Note: U.S. Career Institute covers the RDA exam fee for students who complete our Dental Assistant certificate program | The median hourly rate for a dental assistant with an RDA certification is $21.61, which equates to $44,948 annually. |
Duration: Typically, 9-12 months U.S. Career Institute’s online, self-paced Dental Assistant Certificate Program is typically completed in 5-10 months.
Cost: Estimated range of $1,000 to $10,000, depending on program location (online vs. In-person) and other factors.
U.S. Career Institute’s Dental Assistant Certificate program tuition is $1,539.
Duration: 2 years
Cost:Reports estimate a range of $3,500 to $17,000 per year in tuition and fees, depending on location, program format, residency status, and other factors.
Additional industry certifications are available for dental assistants who wish to further expand their job functions into specialty areas. For example, after earning their CDA or RDA, a dental assistant may choose to explore additional credentials, such as Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA), Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA), or Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA).
How much do dental assistants make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a dental assistant is $46,540. The U.S. states with the highest annual mean wage include:
- Minnesota: $62,760
- Massachusetts: $56,810
- Oregon: $55,960
- District of Columbia: $55,100
- New Hampshire: $54,190
How much do dental assistants make in your state?
Steps to become a dental assistant
To become a dental assistant, there are a few steps you must take:
- Earn your high school diploma
- Acquire the knowledge and skills needed to enter the field of dentistry as a dental assistant, either through a dental assistant education program or on-the-job training (or both).
- Pursue an industry-recognized certification, such as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).
- Attain state licensure to practice as a dental assistant, if appropriate (View State Licensing Requirements: Licensure Information by State).
