Dental Assistant

Hands-on, patient-first, and essential — discover where a dental assistant career can take you.

Dental assistants serve a variety of roles in a dentist or dental specialist’s office, depending on the specific office and the licensing requirements in the state. Job responsibilities vary from taking x-rays and dental molds to billing and ordering supplies.

U.S. News & Reports ranks dental assistants as #7 in a list of Best Jobs Without a College Degree and #12 in Best Healthcare Support Jobs. The median salary is $40,080, but the highest earners can make as much as $52,000. It’s also a fast-growing industry: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, employment of dental assistants is projected to grow by 19% from 2016 to 2026.

Dental assistant jobs require a combination of technical skill, administrative skill, and people skills. Dental assisting provides a challenging and rewarding career for those who choose to pursue it.

Dental assistants play a vital role in keeping dental offices running smoothly, bridging the gap between patient care and clinical support. Their responsibilities span from hands-on clinical tasks to essential front-office work that supports both patients and the dental team.

• Instrument sterilization and preparation
• Taking and processing dental X-rays
• Applying infection control protocols
• Maintaining and updating patient records
• Scheduling appointments and managing calendars
• Coordinating billing and insurance claims
• Providing pre- and post-procedure patient guidance