Factors That Determine Dental Assistant Pay

Jan 1
12:41

2009

Paul Abbey

Paul Abbey

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The job of the dental assistant is to improve the effectiveness of the dentist in providing high-quality oral health care, which makes every dental assistant a valuable member of any dental care team.

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There are a several of factors that determine the earnings for a dental assistant,Factors That Determine Dental Assistant Pay Articles these include their experience and the office position. But before we look into all the different details concerning the earnings for dental assistants, lets clear up what exactly a dental assistant does.


laboratory duties, clerical work and patient care are just some of the duties a dental assistant performs during a regular working day. A dentist relies on a good dental assistant to assist them during a dental examination and treatments, and as such are considered an essential part of the team. A dental assistant aids patients to become relaxed and comfortable while waiting for their dental work to begin.


There are many duties a dental assistant can carry out, one of these is helping the dentist handle delicate equipment which the dentists users on his patients. Mixing filling chemical compounds and taking impressions of patient's teeth can also be carried out by registered dental assistants.

 

The age of our population is rising and consequently the measure of patients with gum disease and related dental health conditions is also rising, this is helping with job opportunities for dental assistants. Another factor contributing to the high requirement for dental services is that people are keeping their natural teeth longer.


According to stats published by the Occupational employment Survey of Employers by EDD/LMID, in 2001, the hourly Wages for dental assistants order from $11.08 to $18.94, which makes an average hourly wage of $15.00, and the average annual wage $35,420. We previously mentioned that the Earnings of a dental assistant depends on a variety of factors including the office location, type of employer, skills and experience, and the individual's education.


One thing is for sure though - fully-accredited dental assistants and certified dental assistants in Extended Functions may expect to receive higher Earnings. Fully approved dental assistants and registered dental assistants in a practice where they would be asked to carry out extra duties can expect a higher salary.