Dental Assistant
Potential earnings range:
$33,571-$53,082*
Per year after graduation
Are you interested in the medical field and passionate about helping others? Do you have strong listening, communication and organizational skills?
Then you may be a good fit for Job Corps’ Dental Assistant training program.
On the job, you will ...
- Work closely with patients and dentists
- Take patient medical history and vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse, before procedures
- Process X-rays and lab tasks
- Assist dentist by preparing the work area for treatment, sterilizing instruments, drying patient’s mouth and handing instruments to dentist during procedures
- Perform administrative tasks such as billing, scheduling and record keeping
Some of the career options you will have ...
Most Dental Assistant graduates work directly with dentists in their dental offices. Dental assistants typically work full time and help with patient care and management of the dental office. Some graduates may go on to work in dental laboratories as well.
The credentials you will earn ...
In the Dental Assistant training program, you will earn nationally recognized credentials and a state-issued credential/license.
- Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) credentials
- State Boards of Dentistry certifications
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification
- After completing 3,500 hours of dental assistance experience, you can earn your General Chairside (GC) certification.
Students should also earn a state-issued learner’s permit and driver’s license upon completion of the program.
What you’ll need to start training ...
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent (can be earned at all Job Corps centers)
- Completion of all introductory and career preparation courses
- Passing scores on all written and performance tests
- Meet academic (math and reading) requirements
- Compliance with state requirements that may involve a criminal background check, and completion of a training program meeting state content requirements
* Salary information comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Program and is provided for planning purposes only. Actual salary will depend on student skill level, credentials earned, experience level and location.
Meet your instructors
Sheri Hankel
Sheri Hankel has worked as a Dental Assistant instructor at Tongue Point Job Corps Center since 2007. She previously worked as a dental assistant and now loves being able to mentor students throughout their career journeys.