About Dental Assistant Careers

A dental assistant is a vital member of the team that cares for patient’s dental health. Assistants also help the office and practice run smoothly, performing small tasks that free the dentist and dental hygienists to give more attention to the patient. The tasks this position is responsible for are widely varied. Dental assistants may help the dentist by preparing the examination room, handing over tools and supplies when the dentist is with a patient, or performing general sterilization procedures. In the lab, assistants can make temporary crowns or develop x-rays. This position also requires heavy interaction with patients, as dental assistants often manage office duties such as gathering information, organizing charts and paperwork, and scheduling appointments.

Job and Salary Outlook for Kentucky Dental Assistants

The average salary for dental assistants working in Kentucky is $27,000 per year, or nearly $13 per hour. Those with less experience may be paid around $23,000, while highly experienced assistants can earn about $31,000. Kentucky’s median salary of $27,000 is about $5,000 less a year than the national average. The position does not necessarily have to be full-time; many dental assistants work part-time hours. The job outlook for this position is good, as assistants are in demand with dentists. Jobs are expected to grow a little more than 25% in the next four or five years. In Kentucky, Louisville and Elizabethtown offer the greatest opportunity for positions.

Kentucky’s Educational Requirements

Because necessary skills are often learned in the exam room or in the office, higher education is not strictly required. In some states, however, dental assistants must have a license or be certified in certain areas. Kentucky dental assistants fall under one of two categories: Dental Assistant or Dental Assistant qualified in coronal polishing. http://www.danb.org/main/statespecificinfo.asp#KY is an informative website that further explains the two different types of assistant and the requirements for both. Though formal training or education from an accredited school is not an absolute must, those who have completed programs at technical or trade schools are generally offered positions first and receive higher salaries.

Schools near Kentucky

Remington College Nashville: The Dental Assisting Diploma Program at Remington College provides training in the skills and knowledge that can help you qualify for an entry-level position as a dental assistant. The comprehensive dental assisting coursework culminates in a real-world externship where you can polish your skills and the hands-on practice will yield invaluable experience as well as transferable dental assisting skills. Remington College also offers a degree in Dental Hygiene. Now, you can learn the skills for this growing career field by completing Remington College’s associate’s degree program in Dental Hygiene. In as few as 24 months you can earn your degree and prepare to take the NBDHE Exam as well as any state or regional exams. Remington College covers the NBDHE exam costs, which can save graduates over $1200 in fees.