Do dental assistants make good money?enough to live off of?!


Question: Do dental assistants make good money!?enough to live off of!?
I don't know why but I have the idea that assistants make barely above minimum wage,since it doesn't require much schooling to be one!.Like,not even a degree just a diploma!?My somewhat "dream" was to be a hygienist but obviously that isn't looking too bright to get into since there's hardly any openings&people said it's easier to find assistant programs!.

I don't really wanna be an assistant,but I do want to work in the dental field(without being a dentist,no way,never!)
& of course I want to be able to make a living,not just scraping by to make ends meet,struggling!.
ahhhhh!Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
Dental assisting does pay enough to live on if you don't live a whole hog lifestyle!. Hygiene is better because, obviously, you need at least 2 years of schooling to become a hygienist!. Depending on what part of the country you live in, if you work for a specialist, if you are certified, registered, length of service, etc!. you will make anywhere from about 12 bucks an hour all the way up to 20 or more bucks per hour!. Mosts dentists now days like to see at least that technical diploma!. Very few want to train someone off the street anymore with no knowledge of dental!. But they will take on someone with the dental training that a program provides!.

You can certainly start out as an assistant and work your way up to hygiene!. I have seen a few assistants do this!.

I know one dental clinic in my area that pays a dollar an hour more for certified vs!. non-certified assistants!. But most dentists do not care whether or not you are certified!. I am certified, and I like that because I can go anywhere in the 50 states and work!. Some states REQUIRE certification!. Others, like my state of WI, do not!. I hope this helps!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

You can start at being an assistant and work your way up to hygienist once you've got a job!. I'd imagine you'll be fine because there is so much money in that field in general, but you can always move up!. I'd call a school that you're thinking of going to and ask what the job outlook is!. They'd be able to help you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

The median expected salary for a typical Dental Assistant in the United States is $24,125!. This basic market pricing report was prepared using our Certified Compensation Professionals' analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies!.
Data as of August 2004
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The median expected salary for a typical Dental Assistant in the United States is $24,125!. This basic market pricing report was prepared using our Certified Compensation Professionals' analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies!.


Data as of August 2004



Dental Assistant 25th%ile Median 75th%ile
the United States $20,709 $24,125 $27,239
IMPORTANT: Your pay can be dramatically affected by compensable factors such as employer size, industry, employee credentials, years of experience and others!.
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Job Description
Dental Assistant
Under the direct supervision of a dentist, prepares patient, sterilizes and disinfects instruments, sets up instrument trays, prepares materials, and assists dentist during dental procedures!. Records medical and dental histories and vital signs of patient!. Exposes dental diagnostic x-rays!. May clean teeth, using dental instruments!. May apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth!. May be expected to perform some clerical duties relating to the department!. Requires a high school diploma or its equivalent and 0-2 years of clinical experience and is certified as a dental assistant!. Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field!. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals!. Performs a variety of tasks!. Typically reports to supervisor or manager!.






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