Types of Duties

A certified dental assistant sterilizes equipment, prepares the examination room and passes instruments to dentists during procedures. Some states permit dental assistants to make plaster impressions of patients' mouths, administer and develop dental X-rays, remove sutures, apply cosmetic or preventive treatments to teeth, and administer topical anesthetics.

Education

To become a certified dental assistant, most students attend a program accredited by the the Commission on Dental Accreditation within the American Dental Association. Programs range from one-year certificate programs to two-year associate degrees.

Licensure

Some states require dental assistants to obtain a license before treating patients, by passing a written examination, demonstrating skills, or attending a state-approved training program or course in addition to assistants' regular schooling. Other states restrict the activities that a dental assistant performs, but they offer no license.

Certification

Certification from the Dental Assisting National Board is voluntary in most states. It entails the successful completion of a written three-part written exam that covers radiation health and safety, infection control and general chairside assisting.

Compensation

In December 2009, the average annual salary for certified dental assistants was between $22,755 and $43,273, according to Payscale.com.

Source:

Payscale.com: Dental Assistant (Certified) Salary, Average Salaries

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Dental Assistants

DANB: Examination