Dental Assisting: the Start of Something Great
A career in dental assisting can do wonders for you—and help you do wonders for others. At Risio Institute, we offer dental assistant training for people all over Canada who want to enjoy the benefits, potential for growth, and opportunities to help others that a career in dental assisting offers.
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What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
Dental assistants provide key support for dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists, and patients. Their responsibilities can include:
- Preparing exam rooms before appointments
- Recording patient vitals
- Assisting with oral health exams
- Taking x-rays
- Sterilising equipment
- Polishing teeth and crowns
- Applying sealant and fluoride
- Performing specific intra-oral tasks, including those involving dental prostheses
- Clerical work
Future Careers for Dental Assistants
Dental assisting can be a jumping-off point for many other exciting and rewarding dental industry careers. These include:
- Treatment Coordinators: skilled professionals who function as liaisons between patients and dentists to communicate key information about each individual’s oral health needs and treatment options.
- Office Managers: organised leaders who coordinate and supervise each practice’s administrative team during daily activities.
- Educators: researchers or instructors who use their firsthand knowledge of dental work to refine and spread awareness of industry best practices.
- Recruiters: skilled headhunters who know what makes a great dental assistant because they’ve done the job themselves and hire top talent for various practices.
- Consultants: logistics experts who provide advice about office management, training, equipment purchases, and more to new practices so they can succeed.
- Entrepreneurs: sales representatives and other businesspeople who use their industry experience to sell vital tools and equipment to the professionals who need them.
The Benefits of Dental Assisting
Becoming a dental assistant offers many benefits. Many of our successful graduates enjoy:
- Highly transferable skills that make them employable in practices all over the country
- Versatile qualifications that can prepare them for various careers in the dental industry
- An appealing work-life balance that provides ample time off for family, hobbies, and vacations
- Competitive salary and benefits (including paid holidays, vacation time, sick leave, and extended healthcare coverage)
Frequently Asked Questions about Dental Assisting
How Much Do Dental Assistants Make?
Dental assistants in Canada currently make a median wage of $24.00 per hour. Entry level dental assistants can expect to make closer to $18.00 per hour, while dental assistants on the high end of the spectrum can make as much as $32.00 per hour.
What is the Demand for Dental Assistants?
The demand for dental assistants throughout Canada is predicted to grow as the population increases and more people become aware of dental hygiene’s importance. Job opportunities for dental assistants are rated as “good” in most Canadian provinces by the Government of Canada’s Job Bank.
What Soft Skills Do Dental Assistants Need?
Employers often look for the following soft skills when hiring dental assistants:
- Oral and written communication
- Eye-hand coordination
- Reading comprehension
- Social perceptiveness
- Time management
- Organizational abilities
- Friendliness and politeness
Do You Need to Become Certified or Registered?
Not all Canadian provinces require you to become certified or registered before working as a dental assistant. However, salary expectations are considerably higher for Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) or Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) than they are for others.
How Can Risio Institute Help?
Risio Institute’s 21-month diploma program is licensed and approved by the Private Career Colleges branch of Alberta Advanced Education. Our program can help you become a certified or registered dental assistant in under two years, while allowing you to work at the same time and grow your professional network so you can continue to thrive after graduating.
Your Career in Dental Assisting Is Waiting
Ready to start training for a rewarding career in dental assisting with Risio Institute? Apply now for our next intake and get ready to put a smile on your face.