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Healthcare Support

Dental Assistants

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Dental Assistants
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Median pay

$47,300
Median annual pay for Dental Assistants.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

6.4%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

52,900
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

381,900
Estimated U.S. employment for Dental Assistants in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+24,400
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Postsecondary nondegree award
Typical education needed to enter Dental Assistants.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Reading Comprehension
  4. 4Active Learning
  5. 5Monitoring
  6. 6Critical Thinking

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Medicine and Dentistry
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Administration and Management
  5. 5Administrative
  6. 6Computers and Electronics

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Oral Comprehension
  4. 4Speech Recognition
  5. 5Written Comprehension
  6. 6Deductive Reasoning

Career interests

  1. 1Conventional
  2. 2Realistic
  3. 3Social
  4. 4Investigative
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Dependability
  3. 3Cooperation
  4. 4Cautiousness
  5. 5Integrity
  6. 6Empathy

Work activities

  1. 1Getting Information
  2. 2Assisting and Caring for Others
  3. 3Working with Computers
  4. 4Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  5. 5Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  6. 6Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Contact With Others
  3. 3Physical Proximity
  4. 4Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  5. 5Telephone Conversations
  6. 6Health and Safety of Other Workers

Representative tasks

  • Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
  • Record treatment information in patient records.
  • Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
  • Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
  • Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
  • Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
  • Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
  • Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.

Software and tools

Henry Schein Dentrix · in demandMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyEmail softwareKodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMSOpen DentalPatterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoftQuickenThe Systems Workplace TDOCSWeb browser software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.