Average Hourly
$24.00
Range Hourly
$17.50 – $ 32.00
Average Yearly
$46,800
Range Yearly
$34,125 – $62,400
3411
Certified dental assistant; Certified intra-oral dental assistant; Dental assistant; Registered dental assistant
This job position requires at least eight-month to one-year college or other program in dental assistance or completion of secondary school with on-the-job training is required. Registration with a regulatory body is required in all provinces except Quebec and Ontario. Certification by the National Dental Assisting Examination Board is required to perform intra-oral duties in all provinces except in Quebec, where intra-oral duties are not performed by dental assistants.
Medium
The employment outlook is fair to good in most provinces. More information is available here
Dental assistants have few opportunities to advance. With more training, they may move into other dental roles or teaching.
0 – 1 year
Several schools offer programs and courses that meet the educational requirements of an MRI technologist. Examples include:
Dental Assisting- SAIT
Dental Assisting - Ontario Colleges
General learning ability to prepare patients for dental examinations and to assist dentists during the examinations
Verbal ability to understand dental terminology, schedule patient appointments and record dental procedures performed
Methodical interest in copying information to record dental procedures performed, order dental and office supplies, prepare dental instruments and filling materials, and to invoice patients; and in taking preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts
Social interest in assisting dentists in patient care and treatment; and in educating patients concerning oral hygiene
Objective interest in operating equipment to sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment; in taking and developing X-rays, polishing teeth and clinical crowns and applying fluoride and sealant, and to fabricating temporary crowns and restorations
In some provinces there are two levels of dental assistants: Level I - chair-side assistant and Level II - intra-oral assistant. Progression from Level I to Level II is possible with education, training and licensure.
Dentists' offices; Educational institutions; Community health centres; Clinics
- Obtain required education training
- Registration with a provincial regulatory body may be required
- Certification by the National Dental Assisting Examination Board may be required to perform intra-oral duties