Dental Assistant

What does a Dental Assistant do?

The duties of the Dental Assistant are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental office. These may include assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures, taking X-rays, sterilizing equipment, comforting patients during and after treatment, teaching appropriate oral hygiene, providing patients with oral care instructions following dental treatments, and performing office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer.

Hear from a Dental Assistant

Minimum education and experience

Graduate of a Dental Assistant Program or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Prefer one-year experience as Dental Assistant or Operating Room experience.

Days/hours

Typically regular weekday business hours.

Position locations

• Eastman Dental Clinic
• Clinton Crossing
• Culver Road
• School #17
• East High School
• Smile Mobiles

Work environment

Patient interaction, clinical setting.

Professional organization

American Dental Assistants Association

Pay range

$19.00 – $24.70 Hourly

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job’s compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

Possible career pathways

Examples of pathways within this job family at the University of Rochester:

• Dental Assistant > Certified Licensed Dental Assistant > Lead Dental Assistant > PAS (Professional, Administrative, Supervisory) Position
• Dental Assistant > Certified Licensed Dental Assistant > Dental Hygienist > PAS (Professional, Administrative, Supervisory) Position

Become a Dental Assistant

• URMC Dental Assistant Training Program
• Monroe Community College
• Monroe BOCES 2 Center for Workforce Development