Job Description: Dental Assistants work as team members along with dentists and dental hygienists and perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. Assistants prepare patients for treatment and examinations and assure that dental records, supplies, and instruments are ready for the dentist to use. Assistants assist the dentist at chair-side by handing instruments and materials to the dentist and keeping patients comfortable and relaxed. They also prepare patients for x-rays, take x-rays, process films, sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, take impressions, and instruct patients in post-treatment care.
Wages - Statewide:
To give you an idea of how much you might earn, we have given you the average hourly wages and average yearly wages for this career throughout California. Wages can vary greatly in different parts of the State.
Hourly Average Wages:
$
34,389
Yearly Average Wages:
$
34,389
Source: California Occupational Employment and Wage Data, 2008
Job Openings:
An average of 2850 job openings will be available statewide per year. The number of openings includes both new jobs and replacement openings as workers leave the occupation.
Source: California Occupational Employment Projections 2004 - 2014
Where to get training locally: Dental Assistant training can be obtained through many community colleges, high school vocational programs, and public and private adult vocational schools.
To find training programs in your area you can check the LaborMarketInfo Web site at
