What to expect as an entry-level dental assistant
Securing your first job offer in a new profession is cause for celebration. You stood out during your dental assisting interview and impressed those at the helm of the hiring process, and the role is now yours!
Whether this is your first professional job ever or you’ve worked in other roles and professions before transitioning to the dental field, you may feel unsure of what to expect when you start your new job. We’re here to help! Below is your guide for what to expect as an entry-level dental assistant.
It may take time and effort to grow your starting salary.
If you’re new to the dental assisting profession, you’ll likely earn entry-level pay. DANB’s Dental Assistants Salary and Satisfaction Survey shows that uncertified dental assistants receive $22.50 per hour, while Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certificants with less than a year of experience earn a median wage of $26 per hour. However, starting salaries will vary depending on your location and the practice type.
As you may expect, the more experience you have, the higher your salary is likely to be. The survey shows that dental assistants with 15 or more years of experience tend to earn the most money.
This number may seem daunting to those just at the starting line. But the good news is that dental assistants have a unique opportunity to position themselves for upward career mobility, and possibly more pay.
“Your employer may not pay you as much if you are not as experienced,” says Ruth, an expanded functions dental assistant with more than 20 years of experience. Ruth offers this advice to entry-level dental assistants who are just beginning the career-ladder climb: “You can’t expect to make a lot at first as a beginner. But in my experience, it has paid off to learn and stick with it.”
One way that dental assistants can grow their salaries is to earn Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification. Those who hold CDA certification make $3.50 more per hour than those who are not certified, according to the salary survey results. Additionally, becoming qualified to perform expanded functions in your state may come with a pay increase. There are also leadership opportunities in dental assisting that often pay more, such as a team lead or infection control coordinator.
It’s not always easy to find the right dental office for you.
When you’re working as an entry-level dental assistant, it can be easy to imagine that you’ll stay with your very first employer forever. This does happen for some dental assistants, but not for everyone. After some time on the job, you may realize it’s not quite the right fit, whether you’re ready for a new challenge, feeling overworked, dealing with difficult team dynamics, or seeking better compensation.
Early in her dental assisting career, Christina recalls coming to the realization that she didn’t want to work with her then-employer in the long term. Simply, that office didn’t feel like it could be her “forever” dental home.
“It was really hard for me,” Christina admits. “I questioned my career. But I learned that just because I hadn’t found the right fit at that time didn’t mean I had to give up on my career. I just kept pushing forward and taking personal pride in what I do, knowing that the right fit for me was out there. I’m glad that I didn’t give up.”
Gaining experience and credentials can help build your confidence.
Whether you’ve graduated from a dental assisting program and completed an externship or you’re being trained on the job, starting your first dental assisting role can bring challenges. Entry-level dental assistants often experience a learning curve during those first few months. This typically comes with the territory when you’re embarking on a new professional experience and developing the necessary skill set.
While trying something new can be exciting and empowering, feeling like you don’t know all there is to know can test your confidence and patience. But remember, catching up to your coworkers who may be more experienced than you takes time and practice. And they likely have experienced some of the same growing pains you have, too! Seeking advice and mentorship from these teammates can offer the support and guidance you need to become a better dental assistant.
If you’re feeling like you’re at square one and are eager to start advancing your career, consider pursuing continuing education. For example, the DALE Foundation offers online learning opportunities and resources to help you prepare for DANB exams and certifications. Earning DANB certification can be a source of pride, increased knowledge, and greater confidence.
For Lisa, holding DANB certification helped elevate her career. “I wanted to be a more knowledgeable dental assistant — so I went to a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, earned state RDA licensure, and also earned DANB CDA certification,” she explains. “I am very happy with the path I chose, which has given me more confidence in the dental office.”
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