Dentists and dental clinics are hiring dental assistants to assume routine dental tasks in the office. Dental assistants divide their duties between patient care, office duties, and laboratory work. Dental assisting can also include processing patient x-rays, performing chair-side duties, and setting patient appointments. Of the 295,300 dental assistants that worked in 2008, more than a third worked part-time, enjoying flexible hours. More than 93 percent worked in dental offices.

How to Prepare for a Career in Dental Assisting

Some dental assistants learn on the job, but with a huge increase in openings during the 2008-2018 decade, many attend year-long dental assisting degree programs to receive comprehensive training. Some states require dental assistants to complete licensing or registration requirements. The Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential administered by the Dental Assisting National Board recognizes career training from accredited dental assisting programs.Read More [+]