Dental Assistant Pay
Dental Assistant is a highly demanding career in these days and it expected that it will be one of the fastest growing job opportunities between now and coming six years. To become a Dental Assistant you need to complete a Dental Assistant Program after which you can appear for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) test to obtain licensing. This licensing not only increases the chance of getting a job but also increases your earning potential. Without certification, getting a job as a Dental Assistant can be very difficult.
Dental Assistants are paid $13.62 on an average; a wage that is much higher than minimum wage in some states. Besides they also get bonuses and life insurances and are even entitled to discounted dental procedure from the company if the company runs well. A certified Dental Assistant will always get extra preference over a non-licensed Dental Assistant. Many Dental Assistants get paid holidays, sick days and paid vacation too.
Dental Assistants do the job of office sanitation as well as lab duties, caring for patients and assisting dentists & dental hygienists. They also do the X-Ray reporting and other procedures if required. They have a great responsibility to their patients and need to be able to communicate with the patients and also pay attention to patients various requirements. They should be able to tend to the patient before and after the dental procedure.
Dental Assistants are very often confused with Dentists & Dental Hygienists but this is a very different profession & the wage also differs. Dental Assistants are engaged only to assist Dentists & Dental Hygienists. Whereas dentists perform filling & bridges, Dental Hygienists do the job of cleaning teeth and checking oral hygiene. Usually patients come to Dental Hygienists in every six months for routine cleaning procedure.
The wage of a Dental Assistant depends on several factors. Two of the main determining factors is the area of residence and the cost of living. Again the revenue of the institution is also a factor for payment.
Also, a new Dental Assistant can be expected to earn less than his more experienced counterparts. You should not be disheartened by this. Even if the salary is less, it is a good starting point and with experience you can then join the elite ranks of the experienced and higher paid Dental Assistants. This job is rather demanding and established institutes prefer keeping experienced people even if it means paying higher salaries. At first, you may be kept in a probationary period for several months. If the employers are satisfied, then your wage will be adjusted with appropriate position in the company.
If you have a choice it is always better to sit for your CDA test and get certified as early as possible as it can give you a tremendous head start.
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