Is Dental Assisting a Good Career Now?

Dental assisting is an exciting and rewarding career path that offers numerous opportunities for growth, development, and personal satisfaction. If you’re interested in pursuing a dental work career, we’ll provide valuable insights into what kind of careers are available for dental assistants, whether or not the field is projected to grow, and what potential career opportunities might be.

Dental Work Careers

The world of dental work encompasses many different roles and positions. Some typical jobs within the field include dentists, dental hygienists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and prosthodontists, among others.

While each role requires different levels of education, training, experience, and skill sets, there’s one thing they all have in common: they rely heavily on the support provided by skilled dental assistants.

Assessing the Growth of a Career in Medical Assisting

The Occupational Outlook Handbook of The Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021-22 Edition, suggests that employment of dental assistants is projected to grow by 8% by 2030, which is much faster than average compared to other occupations. The growth may be attributed to an aging population that needs more frequent visits due to age-related decay or gum disease and increased awareness about preventive measures such as regular checkups.

However, it should be noted that while projections like these offer insight into future trends, they aren’t guarantees – so it’s essential when considering any career path that you research job prospects both locally and internationally before making any commitments.

Career Opportunities for Dental Assistants

Dental assistants play a critical role in supporting the work of dentists and other oral health care professionals. As such, many career opportunities are available for those with the right skills, experience, and qualifications. Some common examples include:

Dental Assistant

This is the most common job title within this field and involves providing chairside assistance to dentists during procedures and performing various administrative tasks like scheduling appointments or updating patients’ medical records.

Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA)

EFDAs have additional training that allows them to perform more complex clinical duties, such as placing fillings or polishing teeth. A licensed dentist supervises the work they do.

Orthodontic Assistant

These assistants work closely with orthodontists to help fit braces and other corrective devices onto patients’ teeth while assisting with routine checkups and adjustments over time.

Oral Surgery Assistant

Assistants in this role provide support during surgical procedures on the mouth and jaw, ranging from simple extractions up to reconstructive surgery requiring extensive preparation beforehand, including sterilization of equipment before use.

If you’re interested in pursuing a rewarding dental assistant career, consider enrolling in First Institute’s Dental Assisting Program. Our program offers comprehensive training designed to prepare students for entry-level positions across multiple specialties within this growing field – so whether you want to work alongside top-notch dentists helping people maintain healthy smiles or specialize further by becoming an EFDA, orthodontic assistant, or oral surgery assistant we’ve got something for everyone. Don’t wait any longer; take control of your future today by signing up for our program at First Institute.