Tennessee Dental Assistant Schools & Training Programs

About Dental Assistant Careers in Tennessee

Dental assistants not only care for patients and perform clerical duties that help the dental office run smoothly, but they are also responsible for providing support to dentists and hygienists. Often, dental assistants take care of the many small details both in the office and in the lab that enable the practice to be a successful one. Some tasks may include preparing the examination room by ensuring the tools are clean, bibs are available, and everything that the dentist and patient need is ready to be used. In the lab, assistants make molds of teeth or temporary crowns. Dental assistants may also work in the office, handling patient’s charts and necessary paperwork.

Salary Outlook for Tennessee Dental Assistants

The average salary for dental assistants working in Tennessee is $33,000 per year, which breaks down to be over $15 per hour. This average salary is about one to two thousand dollars higher than the national average. Median salaries are even higher in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Morristown. The job outlook for this position is considered excellent, with positions expected to grow throughout the next decade. Jobs, like salaries, are more concentrated in metro areas or locations with bigger populations, like Kingsport, Clarksville, and other cities positioned off of Interstate 75. The exception to this rule seems to be in Memphis, where they are proportionally fewer dental assistant positions.

Educational Requirements

High education is not necessarily required for a dental assistant job. Often, needed skills are learned while on the job. In some states, however, dental assistants are required to have a license or be registered; in some places potential assistants must also pass an exam. In Tennessee, there are three types of certification: Practical Dental Assistant, Registered Dental Assistant, and Registered Dental Assistant qualified to perform expanded functions. For more information on the different kinds of dental assistant positions, see http://www.danb.org/main/statespecificinfo.asp#TN. For those wishing to receive training, many trade, vocational, and technical schools offer programs for this job.

Financial Aid Information

All schools are accredited institutions that provide training programs in dental assisting and can be found online. Financial aid varies by school; the websites listed all provide easy-to-find links to financial information.

Schools in Tennessee

Miller-Motte Technical College Chattanooga: Graduates of the MMTC AAS in Dental Assisting program will have developed skills in a hands-on learning environment to function effectively as an integral member of the dental health team. Graduates will be prepared to function as an entry-level dental assistant and assume the responsibilities of performing chair side assisting procedures, maintaining and supplying clinical areas, scheduling patient appointments, maintaining patient charts and records, producing dental radiographs of diagnostic quality, as well as positioning and preparing patients for treatment or surgery.

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.