Dental assistants are in high demand in Texas and this career path has been what most people look forward to becoming. With new technologies in place, the dental assistant position is growing in demand day by day. This is why a lot of people are acquiring degrees and certificates in this field.
The job opportunity for dental assistants is rapidly growing in the U.S. Each state has a large number of private and public sector dental assistants. Texas is one of the states in the U.S that pays dental assistants high salaries, while the requirement for becoming a certified dental assistant is not as difficult, unlike other states.
A dental assistant is an expert of a dental group, that assists dentists or dental hygienists by providing more effective dental treatments to patients. They are often mistaken for a dental hygienist or dental therapist, but they all undergo various training.
Since their training is similar to that of a dentist, dental assistants are responsible for various duties, ranging from administrative duties to the treatments and support of patients.
The major role of a dental assistant is to help the dentist with their day-to-day activities, other duties might include sterilizing equipment, taking dental X-rays, and more. The dental healthcare industry has a lot of opportunities available for every worker in the dental world. As a dental assistant, you can always choose to become a dentist or dental hygienist.
With the dental assistant career, there is room for growth and advancement, a lot of students dream of becoming a dental assistant in Texas for various reasons, one of which includes the salary in the state and the opportunity for growth. In this overview, we will give you an insight into everything you need to know about dental assistants and how much a dental assistant makes in Texas.
Who are dental assistants and their responsibilities?
Dental assistants are valuable to dental healthcare. Their duties in the healthcare industry are a major reason why they are important professionals that cannot be undermined. In every state, there is a job opportunity waiting for dental assistants, their job is not only valuable to the dentists they assist, but they are also valuable to the world.
A lot of dental assistants find working as an assistant to the dentist more fulfilling than being the dentist themself, with this job, you get to communicate directly with the patients to understand their feelings and pains. And that is why dental assistants are important in dental healthcare.
Dental assistants are qualified medical professionals who support dentists and dental hygienists to make provisions for efficient care for patients, supplies, and equipment. As a dental assistant, your duties are to support dentists daily, to listen and communicate with patients about their condition, and also to provide oral health care to them.
They help with the inspection of the patient in the dental chair, and surgical, and procedural assistance with crowns, extractions, and fillings.
The duration of dental assistant programs is quite short, unlike other professions in the healthcare industry, and this will enable individuals willing to become dental assistants, to get to become one quickly.
As a certified dental assistant, you will be tasked with reporting feedback to the dentist, ensuring all instruments are sterile and infected, they assist with oral surgeries and applying temporary dental crowns, they also take and preparing dental X-rays, and remove oral cavities, and keeping patient’s mouth dry by using suction hoses.
During the treatment of patients, dental assistants help with a general anesthetic, they position suction devices, while they prepare patients for surgery and also clean up after procedures and surgeries.
The administrative responsibilities of a dental assistant include taking records of treatment notes and updating patient records, scheduling appointments, billing, and payment. They take care of the patients’ chairs, they maintain inventory for dental practices, and they also educate patients on how to properly brush and floss.
What are the skills required for a dental assistant?
In every dental healthcare, there is always a need for a dental assistant. While some of their duties may differ slightly, they usually require the same set of skills. Skills are important in any profession, most employees receive more pay than others due to their set of skills. And that is why you need to always develop the ones you already have.
These skills are important for dental assistants:
#1. People Skills:
As a dental assistant, you need to work more on your people skills, as you will be dealing with patients from time to time. You need to understand how well you can approach them without scaring them away. People skills usually include actively listening, good body language, responsibly delegating, trustworthiness, etc.
#2. Customer service:
In other to become a good dental assistant, you need to have excellent customer service skills. This skill will help you communicate with patients effortlessly. Customer service skills usually include attentiveness to details, writing skills, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, etc.
#3. Multitasking skills:
The responsibilities of a dental assistant require them to have multitasking skills. As this will help them finish their daily tasks easily. Multitasking skills will help you manage different responsibilities at once.
#4. organizational skills:
As a dental assistant, you need to develop your organizational skills. Your organizational skills will help you manage your time, energy, and resources efficiently to achieve your objectives and goals for the day’s job.
Organizational skills usually include communication, goal setting, time management, analytical thinking, delegation, working under pressure, strategic planning, etc.
#5. Time management skills:
Time management is an important skill for dental assistants. You should be able to manage your time and that of the patients easily. Time management skills usually include organization, prioritization, communication, goal setting, delegation, planning, stress management, etc.
#6. administrative skills:
As a dental assistant, you need administrative skills that will help you complete tasks at your place of work. Administrative skills usually include Empathy, Critical thinking, decision making, teamwork, customer service, active listening, time management, multitasking, communication, project management, conflict resolution, etc.
#7. Computer skills:
As a dental assistant, you need to enhance your computer skills. The administrative aspect of the job strongly requires your computer skills and that is why you should develop them. Computer skills usually include Microsoft office, email communication, etc.
#8. Technical skills:
Technical skills are important to dental assistants. As a dental assistant, you need to know about dental medicines, the ability to process X-rays, the ability to sterilize tools and rooms, etc.
How can I become a dental assistant?
Unlike other professions in the healthcare industry, becoming a dental assistant doesn’t require a lot of time. Earning a high school diploma or a GED and a certificate in a dental assistant program will help you become a certified dental assistant.
Here is a list of how to become a dental assistant:
#1. Step 1- Earn High School Diploma or GED:
The first step is to Earn a high school diploma or GED, this program will give you the access to begin your journey as a dental assistant. This program will assist you in gaining a basic understanding of dental healthcare.
With a high school diploma or GED, you will have a basic understanding of subjects like biology, chemistry, anatomy, health sciences, and other relevant subjects. Earning a high school diploma or GED will most likely increase your dental assistant salary in Texas
#2. Step 2- Complete a dental assistant program:
You need to earn a GED or diploma in other to complete a dental assistant program. This program will prepare you to take the certification exam. Ensure you enroll in dental assistant programs that have been accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), in Texas.
There are dental assistant programs for each state, and you must enroll in one so you can be able to work in Texas as a certified dentist.
#3. Step 3- Prepare and pass the dental assistant certification exam:
In other to be a certified dental assistant in Texas, you need to contact the Texas state board or visit the Dental Assistant National Board’s (DANB) website Certification and Licensure Requirements to assist you with important information.
As you are preparing for the certification exam, you are required to have current CRP training and must be a graduate of an accredited program.
#4. Step 4- Earn Advanced Certifications:
Unlike other professions, becoming a dental assistant in Texas doesn’t require an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree.
But you need to earn advanced certifications as a dental assistant, you can choose to undertake certification exams from the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA); Registered Dental Assistant (RDA); Certified Dental Assistant (CDA); General Chairside Assisting (GCA) exam; Infection Control (ICE) exam; Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam; Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA); Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA); Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA) certification.
#5. Advance Your Career
After your training and certifications, you can opt for the advancement of your career. You can go for a different career path within dental healthcare by earning an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in dentistry or a similar path.
#6. Apply for the Position of Dental Assistant:
This is the last process of becoming a certified dental assistant. You need to apply for the position of a dental assistant, doing this will help you gain more experience in the field. The more your experience, the more your expected salary.
What are the Factors that Determine Wages for dental assistants in Texas?
The dental assistant salary in Texas may vary by city. The salaries in each city if Texas differs from one another for various reasons.
Some factors that determine wages for dental assistants in Texas include:
1. Location
Major cities in Texas tend to pay more than other cities in Texas. This is a common problem in the country, and Texas is not excluded. The hourly and yearly dentist salary varies greatly from city to city.
2. The employer
This is also one of the factors that determine the dental assistant salaries in Texas. While some employers pay more to their employees in some cities, some pay lesser due to different reasons.
3. Experience
Your years of experience are a big determinant of your salary as a dental assistant in Texas. Most employers pay according to your level and years of experience in the industry. As an entry-level worker, you might earn lesser because of your less experience in the field.
How Much Does a Dental Assistant Make In Texas?
Generally, the average salary for dental assistants in the U.S is $62,321 per year and $18.88 per hour. The average annual salary for dental assistants in Texas is $35,900, with $15.69 hourly pay.
Although salary may vary by city in Texas for reasons such as certifications, education, additional skills, etc.
Here is a list of top-paying cities in Texas:
| Cities | Average salary per hour | Average salary per year | |
| Austin, TX | $15.40 | $32,030 | |
| Baytown, TX | $14.96 | $31,110 | |
| Conroe, TX | $14.69 | $30,550 | |
| Denton, TX | $17.15 | $35,670 | |
| Georgetown, TX | $16.13 | $33,540 | |
| Harker Heights, TX | $15.20 | $33,250 | |
| Houston, TX | $16.61 | $34,548 | |
| Hutto, TX | $15.16 | $31,530 | |
| League City, TX | $16.78 | $34,899 | |
| Lubbock, TX | $15.55 | $32,340 | |
| Mesquite, TX | $17.75 | $36,928 | |
| Midland, TX | $17.20 | $35,775 | |
| Pasadena, TX | $18.50 | $38,479 | |
| Pearland, TX | $17.85 | $37,129 | |
| Plano, TX | $17.54 | $36,493 | |
| Port Arthur, TX | $17.39 | $36,174 | |
| Richardson, TX | $16.91 | $35,183 | |
| Round Rock, TX | $15.28 | $31,790 | |
| San Antonio, TX | $15.87 | $33,010 | |
| The Woodlands, TX | $16.65 | $34,637 |
FAQs On Dental Assistant Salary Texas
Yes. There are several positions for dental assistants in Texas.
Yes. You need to pass the dental assistant certification exam.
No. Texas is not one of the highest-paid states for dental assistants in u.s
Pasadena, TX pays the most to dental assistants with an average of $38,479 per year, and $18.50 per hour.
Becoming a dental assistant in Texas doesn’t take long. You can become a certified dental assistant in the space of 2 to 4 years.
Conclusion
The duty of a dental assistant cannot be overlooked in dental healthcare. They are very important on the medical team as their attention is always required by both the dentist and their patients.
In some states, dental assistants can also provide treatments directly to patients, on certain conditions that they undergo some required training. We hope this overview gives you the right answers to your questions.
References
A dental assistant is an expert of a dental group, that assists dentists or dental hygienists by providing more effective dental treatments to patients. They are often mistaken for a dental hygienist or dental therapist, but they all undergo various training.
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