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Dental assistants and dental hygienists are valuable members of the dental care team, helping dentists in a variety of tasks to increase their efficiency in the delivery of quality oral health care. Both assistants and hygienists are skilled in basic instrument set-up and the proper use of dental tools and materials, including taking and processing x-rays, providing instruction to patients, and keeping detailed and accurate records of patient care.
Job Description: Dental Assistants are often the first professionals the patients see in the dental office, and their duties are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental clinic. They may provide care in general dentistry or in specialties such as periodontics, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, or oral surgery. Their duties may include conducting patient interviews, making impressions, charting histories, assisting during minor surgeries and laboratory procedures, preparing and sterilizing dental equipment and instruments, reception, insurance billing, recordkeeping, and general office procedures. Her/his expertise in the operation and maintenance of dental equipment is essential in the modern dental office.
Dental hygienists perform slightly more advanced tasks than those of the dental assistant. Hygienists examine patients' teeth and gums to assess oral health conditions and screen for oral cancer, they clean patients' teeth and apply preventive materials like sealants or fluorides, and they provide many educational services, instructing patients about good oral hygiene and preventative dental care. They also work alongside dentists during treatment and surgeries.
Both dental assistants and hygienists enjoy flexible schedules, with full-time and part-time positions available, as well as evening and weekend shifts. Preventative oral health care has led to an increased demand for dental services, which is opening up more job opportunities for hygienists and assistants, making it an exciting and stable field to go into. (ADA) Request free degree information from any of the featured schools below.
Request information from one of these recommended schools and start today!
View the featured schools in your state. Click a state below:
Arizona / California / Connecticut / Florida / Georgia / Hawaii / Idaho / Illinois / Indiana / Kentucky / Massachusetts / Michigan / Minnesota / Missouri / Nebraska / Nevada / Ohio / Oregon / Pennsylvania / Tennessee / Texas / Utah / Virginia / Washington / Canada| Arizona Schools | |||
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(Phoenix, Tempe) - Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Practical Technologist in Radiology, Surgical Technologist, Massage Therapy | ![]() |
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| Connecticut Schools | |||
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(Enfield, Stratford, Watertown, Weathersfield) - Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting | ![]() |
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| Georgia Schools | |||
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(Atlanta) - Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Insurance Coding | ![]() |
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(Norcross) - Dental Assisting | ![]() |
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| Hawaii Schools | |||
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(Honolulu) - Dental Assisting, Health Information Technology, Medical Assisting, Medical Office Administration | ![]() |
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| Illinois Schools | |||
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(Burr Ridge, Chicago) - Dental Assisting | ![]() |
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| Indiana Schools | |||
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(Merrillville) - Dental Assisting | ![]() |
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| Kentucky Schools | |||
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(Louisville) - Dental Assisting, Medical Coding | ![]() |
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| Massachusetts Schools | |||
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(Brighton) - Dental Assisting, Masage Therapy, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician | ![]() |
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| Michigan Schools | |||
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(Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo) - Dental Assisting | ![]() |
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| Missouri Schools | |||
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(St. Louis) - Dental Office Administration, Dental Assistant | ![]() |
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(Fenton, Maryland Heights) - Dental Assistant | ![]() |
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(Springfield) - Dental Assistant | ![]() |
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(Springfield) - Dental Assistant | ![]() |
| Nevada Schools | |||
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(Las Vegas) - Dental Assistant | ![]() |
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| Oregon Schools | |||
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(Beaverton) - Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Surgical Technologist | ![]() |
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| Tennessee Schools | |||
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(Nashville) - Dental Assisting | ![]() |
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(Memphis, Nashville) - Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assisting | ![]() |
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| Virginia Schools | |||
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(Chesepeake) - Dental Assisting | ![]() |
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| Washington Schools | |||
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(Everett, Tacoma, Bremerton, Renton) - Dental Assisting | ![]() |
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JOBS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPISTS
Employment of physical therapists is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Changes to restrictions on reimbursement will increase patient access to services and, thus, increase demand.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics