D ental Assisting is a popular career choice for reasons such as job stability, a quick entry into the workforce and good working conditions. Learn about what dental assistants do, training programs available in Florida, salary information and job outlook.
Dental Assistant Duties, Training and Salary Expectations
What Dental Assistants Do
Dental assistants perform tasks ranging from patient care and taking x rays, depending on training, to recordkeeping and scheduling appointments, with duties varying by the dentists’ offices in which they work. Typical duties include:
Managing the front office and maintaining patient records
Handling routine instructions and follow-up care
Assisting dentists during examinations by handing dental equipment
Taking molds of the patient’s teeth
Preparing filling material
Providing fluoride treatments
Cleaning and sterilizing equipment
Requirements to work as a Dental Assistant in Florida
Florida distinguishes between dental assistants who have been formally trained in a dental assisting program and those who have acquired their skills through on-the-job training. Dental Assistants who acquire their skills in a dental office must do so under the supervision of an properly licensed dentist who is responsible for ensuring that the dental assistant has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the basic assisting procedures as defined by the state’s dental practice act. However many dentists are unable to invest time and energy into training a dental assistant, so receiving formal training can make it easier to find employment.
Most dental assistants in Florida complete an accredited program, become certified, and participate in continuing education courses in order to retain their certification.
To be eligible to practice expanded functions, a dental assistant must be formally trained through a CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) approved dental assisting program, or by completing an expanded duties training program that has been approved by the Florida Board of Dentistry.
How much does a a Dental Assistant make in Florida?
Florida is one of the states with the highest employment level for dental assistants, with the average hourly mean wage of $18.23, and annual mean wage $37,920.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2017
Dental Assistant Job Outlook
The dental assistant field is expended to grow faster than the average pace with the job outlook from 2016 – 2026 expected at 19%.
Find a dental assisting school in Florida located near you, so that you can start training for your new career!
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