Career Profile
Dental Assistants
Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments.
General Information
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
Training Funds Available
This is a Rural Capital Area Target Occupation.
Training and education opportunities are available with eligible providers throughout the state.
Please visit the Texas Workforce Commission website for more details.
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Dental Assistants
Occupational Outlook
For the Rural Capital Area
Job Opportunities
Over the next five years, an average of 235 openings per year are projected for Dental Assistants.
Employment Change
Employment for Dental Assistants is forecasted to increase on par with the regional average by 17.1% between 2023 and 2028.
Earnings Potential
An average worker in this occupation is paid $20.75/hour. Entry level workers are paid $15.49, while experienced workers are paid $22.22. The median wage is comparable to average regional wages across occupations.
Local Employment Opportunities
There are 1,171 Dental Assistants in the RCA region. By 2028 this number could reach 1,370.
Top 5 Employing Industries, Locally
The top industries employing Dental Assistants are Offices of Dentists, Offices of Physicians, and Outpatient Care Centers.
Knowledge Areas
The top most significant knowledge categories for Dental Assistants include Customer and Personal Service, Medicine and Dentistry, and English Language.
Educational Attainment Patterns
The most common level of education for Dental Assistants is HS diploma or less. 15% of people employed in these roles have some form of college degree.