The Mission of Mercy sponsored by the Virginia Dental Association.  It was held on the eastern shore at Nandua High School - March 24-25, 2007.  That weekend 735 patients were treated by 306 volunteers.

Dental Assisting
Career Studies Certificate
Certificate





What do Dental Assistants do?

Dental assistants serve as chairside, circulating, and practice management team members. Many work in solo dental practices, group practices, specialty practices, public health facilities, hospital dental facilities, military installations, and colleges/universities. >>more

What is job outlook for Dental Assisting?

Job opportunities for dental assistants are excellent. In 2004, dental assistants held about 267,000 jobs across the country and 6, 993 statewide in Virginia
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How much money do Dental Assistants make?

In May 2006 the median (50%) annual wage was $30,850 by the U.S. Department of Labor and $29,955 by the Virginia Employment Commission

How much money do Dental Assistants make per hour?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the average 2006 mean hourly wage was $14.83 with the lowest percentile (10%) at $9.87 and the highest percentile (90%) at $20.69.

According to the Virginia Employment Commission the average 2006 median hourly wage was $14.40 with the lowest (10%) at $10.96 and the highest (90%) earned more than $16.95 per hour.

What is the job outlook for Dental Assistants?

There is an increasing demand for dental assistants across the nation as healthcare services change. There is a concern about the shortage of personnel that exists in Virginia by the dental community. 

According to the U.S. Department of Labor:

Job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent.  Employment is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014.  In fact, dental assisting is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2004-2014 projection periods.  In addition to job openings due to employment growth, numerous job openings will arise out of the need to replace assistants who transfer to other occupations, retire, or leave for other reasons.  Many opportunities are for entry-level positions offering on-the-job training.

According to the Virginia Employment Commission:

It is projected by the year 2014 there will be 10,647 dental assistants employed in Virginia.  This represents an annual growth rate of 4.3 percent, faster than 1.6 percent growth rate for all occupations in Virginia statewide.  Growth plus replacement needs for dental assistants in Virginia are estimated to average about 561 openings per year. Of these estimated 561 openings, 65.1 percent will be due to growth (new positions) and 34.9 percent will be due to replacements.

What do Dental Assistants do?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor:

Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. They work chairside as dentists examine and treat patients. They make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, and obtain their dental records. Assistants hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients’ mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. Assistants sterilize instruments and disinfect equipment, prepare trays of instruments for dental procedures, and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care.

Dental assistants prepare materials for impressions and restorations, and expose and process dental x-rays as directed by a dentist. They may also remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to tissues, cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment.

Those with laboratory experience make models of the teeth and mouth from impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary crowns. Dental assistants with office skills will schedule and confirm appointments, will be responsible for recording financial transactions and processing insurance claims, and ordering dental supplies and materials.

What about Dental Assisting Education?

The Dental Assisting National Board states:

“The best way to become a dental assistant is to receive formal education.  Studying in a Commission on Dental Accreditation accredited program provides education that is based on the latest procedures and techniques.  If you like variety, flexibility, excellent working conditions, personal satisfaction, and working with your hands as well as your mind than dental assisting is for you.”