Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
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Health Career
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Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Dental Assistant
Job description
Dental Assistants greet and prepare dental patients, assist dentists during procedures, and maintain instruments and supplies. Dental Assistants also perform basic and some moderately complex dental procedures. Job responsibilities may include: recording patients' health histories, scheduling visits, bookkeeping, providing chair-side assistance, taking and developing x-rays, preparing dental compounds; taking, pouring and trimming dental impressions, and seating temporary restorations.
Salaries and benefits*
In Washington, the average entry level wage for dental assistants is $11.50 per hour ($1,993 per month). Half of all dental assistants earn between $12.53 and $17.92 per hour ($2,171 and $3,106 per month). Working for a state institution of higher education, a dental assistant I with six months of experience earns $1,736 to $2,185 per month.
In the Spokane County area, half of all dental assistants earn between $1,790 and $3,055 per month, while half of those in Benton and Franklin counties earn between $2,444 and $3,183 per month. In Yakima County, half earn between $1,861 and $2,826 per month. Half of all dental assistants in King, Snohomish, and Island counties earn between $2,411 and $3,442 per month and half in Pierce County earn between $2,273 and $2,821 per month. Half of all assistants in the Whatcom County area earn between $1,871 and $2,849 per month, while in Clark County, half earn between $1,916 and $2,832 per month.
In the Pacific Northwest (WA, OR, ID), dental assistants working for health care facilities average $12.50 to $15.70 per hour (between $2,162 and $2,716 per month). Nationally, the median wage for dental assistants is $2,320 per month ($13.41 per hour). Half of all dental assistants earn between $1,880 and $2,840 per month ($10.86 and $16.41 per hour).
Wages vary based on the dental assistant's level of training and experience. Wages also vary by employer and area of the country. Benefits also vary. Most full-time dental assistants receive typical benefits. These include paid vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. Part-time dental assistants may not receive benefits.
Training and requirements
In Washington State, programs average 9 to 12 months in length. Training takes place at community colleges, technical schools, and training centers. Financial aid is available through the educational institution's financial aid office.
Necessary skills
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good eye/hand coordination
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manual dexterity and precision
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good verbal and written communication skills
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ability to see slight differences in objects, shapes, and pictures
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good listening skills
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good judgment and decision making
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basic computer skills
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ability to calm nervous patients
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ability to work in a small space
Working Conditions
Dental assistants frequently:
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Use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
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Repeat the same motions.
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Bend or twist the body when operating equipment or examining patients.
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Sit for long periods of time.
Interpersonal Relationships:
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Have a high level of social interaction with patients, dentists, and office staff.
●
Are responsible for the health and safety of dental patients.
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Are responsible for the work outcomes of others.
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Sometimes deal with patients that are unpleasant, angry, or discourteous.
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Work as part of a team. This is extremely important because they directly assist the dentist.
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Have face-to-face discussions with coworkers and patients each day.
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Communicate by telephone daily.
Hours/Travel:
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May work part time or full time.
●
May work for more than one dental office.
●
May work evenings or Saturdays at offices that keep longer hours.
Licensure/Certification
Washington currently has no licensing requirements for dental assistants. Graduates of dental assisting programs who pass a national exam can become certified by the Dental Assisting National Board. Some evening and correspondence certification programs are available. To keep certification current, 12 hours of approved continuing education, including an up-to-date CPR card, are required each year. For more information, contact the Dental Assisting National Board.
Helpful high school courses
English, speech, math, general science, chemistry, biology, psychology, physics, accounting, business, computer science, health, first aid/CPR.
Colleges/Vocational Schools in Washington State
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Apollo College
10102 E. Knox, Suite 200
Spokane, WA 99206
(509) 532-8888
●
Bates Technical College
1101 South Yakima Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98405
(253) 680-7000
●
Bellingham Technical College
3028 Lindbergh Ave.
Bellingham, WA 98225-1599
(360) 738-0221
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Bryman College
Everett Campus (Formerly Eton Technical Institute)
906 Everett Mall Way, Ste. 600
Everett, WA 98208
(425) 789-7960
Lynnwood Campus
19020 33rd Ave. W., Ste. 250
Lynnwood, WA 98036
(425) 778-9894
Port
Orchard Campus (Formerly Eton Technical Institute)
3649 Frontage Road
Port Orchard, WA 98367
(360) 473-1120
Renton Campus
981 Poewll Ave., Ste. 200
Renton, WA 98055
(425) 255-3281
Tacoma Campus (Formerly Eton Technical Institute)
2156 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98402
(253) 207-4000
●
Clover Park Technical College
4500 Steilacoom Blvd. SW
Tacoma, WA 98499-4098
(253) 589-5678
●
Columbia
Basin College
2600 North 20th Ave.
Pasco, WA 99301
(509) 992-2000
●
Lake Washington Technical College
11605 132nd Ave. NE
Kirkland, WA 98034-8506
(425) 739-8100
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Pima Medical Institute
800-477-PIMA
Seattle Campus
1627 Eastlake Ave. East
Seattle, WA 98102
Renton Campus
555 S. Renton Village Pl.
Renton, WA 98055
●
Renton Technical College
3000 NE Fourth St.
Renton, WA 98056-4195
(425) 235-2352
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Seattle Vocational Institute
2120 S. Jackson St.
Seattle, WA 98144-2220
(206) 587-4950
●
South Puget Sound Community College
2011 Mottman Road SW
Olympia, WA 98512-6218
(360) 754-7711
●
Spokane Community College
North 1810 Greene St.
Spokane, WA 99224-5288
(509) 533-3500
●
Yakima Valley Community College
16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd.
Yakima, WA 98907-2520
(509) 574-4756
Outlook*
Between 2002 and 2007, this occupation is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations in Washington. Employment is projected to increase 12.3% during this period. It is estimated that there will be 240 openings annually due to new positions and 286 openings annually from workers leaving this occupation.
Between 2007 and 2012, this occupation is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations in Washington. Employment is projected to increase 9.1% during this period. It is estimated that there will be 201 openings annually due to new positions and 318 openings annually from workers leaving this occupation.
According to estimates by the Washington State Department of Employment Security, there were 9,772 dental assistants employed in Washington in 2002. It is projected that by 2007 there will be 10,971 and by 2012 there will be 11,974.
Professional Associations
●
American Dental Assistants Association
203 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1320
Chicago, IL 60601-1210
(312) 541-1550
http://www.dentalassistant.org
●
National Association of Dental Assistants
900 S. Washington St., Suite G13
Falls Church, VA 22046-4020
(703) 237-8616
●
Dental Assisting National Board
676 N. St. Clair, Suite 1880
Chicago, IL 60611
(800)-FOR-DANB
(312)-642-3368
http://www.danb.org/
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2005. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 5/1/06