Dental Assistant Salary – What affects it?
One of the fastest growing industries in North America is the health care field and this includes dentistry. Our society places great importance on physical appearance and taking care of our teeth is no exception. A good smile is a vital component to a perfect presentation and placed at the opportune time can change many things. Being a Dental Assistant could very well be in your future, but here are some statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2010 to help you make that decision.
Dental Assistant salary statistics
As with any profession, salaries are usually based on your experience, where you work and who you work for and most people entering into a new career with little experience but their formal training generally start at the lowest salary. With Dental Assistant salaries, hourly wages range from $10.90 an hour to $22.64 which annually is $22,680 to $47,090 considering you are working at full time hours. The mean hourly Dental Assistant salary works out to $16.41 and $34,140 annually taking many things into consideration. With time and experience your pay will increase. How much does a dental assistant make also depend on the different location/industries
Highest paying industries for a Dental Assistant are specialty hospitals with a mean annual wage of $38,650, Federal Executive Branch at $38,130 mean annual wage, state governments with a mean annual wage of $35,650, psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals at $35,610 and general medical and surgical hospitals at $35,610 as well. These are mean wages of $18.58 down to $17.12 respectively.
Top paying states for Dental Assistant salaries are the District of Columbia with a mean hourly wage of $22.90 and a mean annual wage of $47,630, Alaska at $20.20 and $42,020, New Hampshire at $20.02 and $41,640, Minnesota at $19.79 and $41,170 and Connecticut at $19.32 and $40,180.
When searching for employment it is prudent to enter your search well armed with the necessary information beforehand. Take all things into consideration. For example, you may not be making as much as you had thought , but think about things like what are the chances for advancement, are you working where you want to work, is there a good benefit package, etc. These things are sometimes just as important as your salary.
Where you will work
If you are single and want to move around while being gainfully employed, it’s a good idea to know ahead of time which states hire the most Dental Assistants. You may have a family and wish to remain where you are so look for the companies in your area who hire Dental Assistants and have the highest concentration.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dentist’s offices are typically who hire the most Dental Assistants, however don’t limit your options, there are other places who employ them. Other options are physician’s offices, the Federal executive Branch, Colleges, Universities and professional schools and employment services from the highest to lowest numbers hired within each industry.
States with the highest levels of employment and their mean hourly and annually dental assistant salary respectively are California at $16.97 and $35,290, Texas at $15.29 and $31,800, New York at $16.55 and $34,430, Florida at $15.96 and $33,210 and Illinois at $16.00 and $33,270.
Description and Duties
Being a Dental Assistant means just that, you will be required to assist him or her when the need arises and your duties could vary considerably. Your job will be to escort your patient into the dentist’s office and make them comfortable and to begin preparing them for the dentist. This could possibly include taking x-rays, keeping them informed, applying topical anaesthetics, preparing the dental instruments, placing dental dams, etc. You will also be required to assist the dentist during the procedure, handing instruments, rinsing and suctioning the patient’s mouth when it’s necessary, preparing filling and dental impression materials, making sure the area remains sterile. This is crucial when working inside people’s mouths as bacteria are very easily transferred and it is a good portion of your job to ensure a clean environment. After the procedure is completed, it will be your job to clean the area and sterilize the equipment, again ensuring it is sterile for the next patient
If you can live within a Dental Assistant salary, you will have the option of working in any state you choose. As you can see on the bureau of labor statistics website, the demand for Dental Assistants will grow in the next several years and salary could be affected as a result. It could be in your future.
How to Become a Dental Hygienist
Becoming a dental hygienist is a dream for millions of people. People who are good with their hands and enjoy providing health care usually enjoy dental hygienist careers. A dental hygienist is a person who has been educated and licensed to supply a variety of oral health services including as prevention and cleaning. They usually work along with a dentist and dental assistant. There is a wealth of information available for anyone who wants to know how to become a dental hygienist.
Education
The first step in the process of how to become a dental hygienist is the appropriate education; beginning with a high school diploma or equivalent. Courses in biology, math and chemistry are helpful in laying a foundation for this career. The next step for a dental hygienist hopeful is to acquire adequate college entrance exam scores to be admitted to an accredited dental hygiene program.
But how long does it take to become a dental hygienist? The answer to this question will vary depending on the dental hygiene program. Some of these programs will require applicants to have one year of college prior to admission. Two year associate degrees, four year bachelor’s degrees and even master degrees can be earned through dental hygiene programs; which is part of the process of how to become a dental hygienist. Peridontology or the study of gum disease, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and nutrition are some of the required courses. Histology, which is the study of tissue structure, behavioral and social sciences, clinical dental hygiene and pathology are additional subjects a dental hygienist must also master.
Licensure and Certification
In the United States dental hygienists must be licensed by the state in which they work. The time it takes to obtain a license should be considered when calculating how long it takes to become a dental hygienist. The candidate must pass a written and clinical examination to get a license. The license is administered by the American Dental Association’s Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations. It is accepted in all states and can be taken at regional testing agencies. Most states also require passing an examination that covers the legal aspects of this profession. How to become a dental hygienist in the state of Alabama is somewhat different than in other states. Alabama does not require the written portion of the ADA exam but will issue a license only after completion of certain courses, on the job training, and a separate license examination issued by the state.
Other Qualifications
Becoming a dental hygienist requires the ability to work closely with dental assistants, dentists and patients. How to become a dental assistant means the possession of good manual dexterity skills to use the dental instruments needed during the course of performing duties. If a person wishes to perform advance skills such as administering anesthetics, installing fillings or work as a public health specialist, they must complete additional education. A degree at the bachelor level at least as well as performing work outside of the typical dentist office can help to achieve these advancement opportunities.
Dental Hygienist Job Description
If a career as a dental hygienist is in your future, it would be a good idea to get a clear dental hygienist job description before starting on your career path. Working in this field involves mastering a variety of skills in order to be a successful, competent professional. If you are considering this career, prepare now and find out what does a dental hygienist do during an average work day.
Basic Dental Hygienist Job Description
Dental hygienists are licensed dental professionals that specialize in oral health. In part, a dental hygienist job description includes helping patients in the prevention of disease, providing treatment and administering oral hygiene. They provide patient education such as diet and oral health and how to select and use toothbrushes and other oral equipment. In some cases, dental hygienists put in fillings and dressings, remove stitches and polish metal restorations. Other areas allow dental hygienists to administer anesthesia.
Because local regulations dictate the scope of their practice, the answer to the question what does a dental hygienist do will vary depending on the geographical location of the job. But in all cases, a dental hygienist should be a person who works well with other people since they will be working closely with the dentist and dealing with patients and their families. They must also possess a high level of manual dexterity to use delicate instruments in patients’ mouths.
Work Environment
In the majority of cases, the work environment of a dental hygienist is a clean, well lit dentist office or hospital. Since part of the dental hygienist job description will involve the use of x-rays, they must adhere to strict safety procedures regarding radiation. They will most likely work around anesthetic gas and be required to wear protection such as safety glasses, gloves and masks. The dental hygienist job description will include the requirement to stand or sit for long periods of time, so they have to be careful to avoid neck and shoulder injuries.
Tools of the Trade
Cleaning teeth is one of many job duties included in a dental hygienist job description. Dental hygienists must be proficient in using hand and rotary tools that clean and polish teeth. They must be adept in the use of ultrasonic devices such as x-ray machines and in some cases they must know how to develop film. Another aspect of a dental hygienist job description is patient education. This duty requires using models of teeth to teach oral hygiene or to explain an upcoming procedure or surgery to a patient. A dental hygienist also uses chemicals such as fluorides and sealants during the course of their job duties.
Is a Dental Hygienist Career for You?
If after reading this dental hygienist job description you believe this is the career for you, now is the time to get started. You might want to consult a page on dental hygienist salary information which might help you take the proper steps to achieve the highest possible salary. According to the bureau of labor statistics in the US, dental hygienists “rank among the fastest growing occupations”. The first step in becoming a dental hygienist would be to get a degree from an accredited dental hygiene school. In the United States all dental hygienists are also required to be licensed by the state in which they will work. A career in this field is a good choice since the U.S. Department of Labor ranks dental hygienists as one of the fastest growing occupations in the country.
Dental Hygienist Salary
For anyone who is thinking of studying to be a dental hygienist salary is a consideration in their career decision. A dental hygienist works under the supervision of a dentist performing various tasks such as cleaning teeth and basic patient assessment. A dental hygienist salary may be higher if they also possess clinical service skills such as teaching health education.
Average U.S. Dental Hygienist Salary
Dental hygienists receive their salaries in a variety of ways which include hourly, daily, weekly or by commission. The exact amount of a dental hygienist salary can vary depending on work location, geographic area and experience. According to several private job resources, the average expected salary in the U.S. for this career is $61,686 in 2011. These figures were based on an analysis of the data that was collected from thousands of employers in the United States currently paying at least one dental hygienist salary to an employee.
How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make in Various Industries?
The three highest paying industries for a dental hygienist salary are administrative services, dentist offices and employment services. These industries paid an average salary in 2008 of $68,230, 68,160 and $68,150, respectfully. Outpatient care centers and other health practitioners are top paying industries. These figures represent average annual salaries, but a dental hygienist salary is much higher for the majority of workers depending on location.
Highest and Lowest Salaries for Dental Hygienists
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics provides reports on how much do dental hygienist make in the United States based on percentage. In 2008, 10 percent of dental hygienists made $44,900 a year,
20 percent made $55,620; seventy five percent were paid $79,990 and 90 percent made $92,860 each year.
Where Dental Hygienists Work
According to U.S. Department of Labor data, states that have the highest concentration of dental hygienists do not necessarily pay top dental hygienist salary. For instance, the state of Michigan employs around 9,000 dental hygienists who are paid an average of around $60,000 a year. Idaho, with 1170 employed pays $65,000 and New Hampshire pays its 1,200 dental hygienists $73,000 annually.
States that Pay the Highest Dental Hygienist Salary
The state of Alaska pays its 520 dental hygienists the highest salary in the nation at $96,000 a year. Washington State has 460 dental hygienists that earn a $90,140 mean annual salary. California has 18,340 employed with a mean annual salary of $87,540. Rounding out the top five highest paying states are Nevada (1,410 dental hygienists paid $81,000) and Oregon (2700 dental hygienists paid $77,000).
Dental Hygienist Employment Outlook
Dental hygienists are among the fastest rising occupations. While there is competition expected in some areas, it is predicted that job prospects will be favorable in most geographical locations. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook addresses how much does a dental hygienist make in the future; predicting a 36 percent growth through the year 2018. The increasing demand for dental services is expected to result in the need for dental hygienists to perform services that were usually reserved dentists; which would require greater compensation. If you want more information on the actual job please consult how to become a dental hygienist, our dental hygienist job description post or look at the dental hygienist page on wikipedia.
Welcome to Dental Hygienist information!
Hey all, we will be sharing information on the many dental professions soon. You can expect information on Dental Hygienist salaries soon, stay tuned.