Dental Assistants are the ones who are responsible for providing Dental Care to the patients, taking X-rays, keeping records of the patients and scheduling appointments. They also support Dental Operators so that they can provide better and more efficient dental treatment.
Dental Assistant Salary varies depending upon various aspects such as experience, qualifications, gender, etc. Dental assistants having a bachelor's degree are usually paid higher than those having certification or Diploma in Dentistry or other related fields.
Check: How to become a Dentist
Candidates after completing studies in the related field can find lucrative and highly paid job opportunities in private as well as the government sectors. The salary of a Dental Assistant also varies from region to region or company. However, the demand for them is increasing every day.
In India, the average salary of a Dental Assistant in India is INR 2,00,000 to INR 5,00,000 per year. Candidates after gaining over 10 years of experience can expect to earn around INR 7,50,000 per year. The highest salary of a Dental Assistant in India is between INR 8,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 yearly.
See More: Dental Courses
Table of Contents
2.1 Skills Required
Check out: Top dental colleges in India
Who are Dental Assistants?
A dental assistant is one who ensures that all the necessary steps are taken during and after any dental procedure. They must have great attention to detail and be highly skilled. They work closely with and under the supervision of a registered dentist.
A Dental Assistant should gain a bachelor's degree, certification or any Diploma in dentistry or other related fields from any of the institutes approved by the Dental Council of India. Apart from academic qualifications candidates should also possess various crucial skills or abilities to become a successful Dental Assistant. Some of the roles and responsibilities of a Dental Assistant are listed below:
- Assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
- Taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)
- Asking about the patient's medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse
- Serving as an infection control officer, developing infection control protocol, and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment
- Helping patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment
Also Check: Cosmetic Dentistry Courses
Qualifications to Become a Dental Assistant
Aspirants seeking to develop their career as a Dental Assistant must meet all the eligibility requirements for a profession, they may also be required to qualify the entrance exam conducted at national or state level. In order to become a successful Dental Assistant one must complete their education and possess certain skills.
Some of the popular courses that one can pursue to become a Dental Assistant are tabulated below along with their average fees:
| Course Type | Course Name | Average Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Courses | BDS (Bachelor Of Dental Surgery) | INR 1,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 |
| Postgraduate Courses | Masters Of Dental Science (M.D.S.) | INR 6,00,000 to INR 20,00,000 |
| PhD Courses | PhD in Dental Sciences | INR 10,000 to INR 15,00,000 |
| Certification Courses | Dentistry Certificate Course | INR 1,15,000 |
| Diploma Courses | Diploma in Dentistry | INR 7,50,000 |
Skills Required
To become a successful Dental Assistant, aspirants must possess various skills to tackle their problems in their career. Dental Assistants require both interpersonal and technical skills. Some if the crucial skills required to become a professional Dental Assistant are mentioned below:
| Interpersonal Skills | Listening Skills |
| Detail Oriented skill | Dexterity |
| Professional Appearance | Organizational Skills |
| Basic Computer Knowledge | Administrative skills |
| Critical thinking | Oral Hygiene |
Dental Assistant Salary
After completing the course, candidates can find jobs at dental clinics, hospitals, and community health centers (CHCs). Government hospitals (Dental department), Private hospitals (Dental department), Private Dental clinics, NGOs, Medical camps, Community health centers call for interviews.
The average salary of a Dental Assistant varies depending upon various factors such as location, clinic/ hospital type, and qualification.
Experience Wise Salary
The salary of a Dental Assistant according to their working experience is tabulated below:
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 0 - 3 years | INR 3,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 |
| 3 - 5 years | INR 5,00,000 to INR 12,00,000 |
| 5 - 10 years | INR 15,00,000 to 17,00,000 |
| 10 - 15 years | INR 15,00,000 to INR 23,00,000 |
| 15 years and above | INR 25,00,000 and above |
Also Read: Online Dental Courses
City Wise Salary
The salary of a Dental Assistant in India also varies depending upon the city or place they are working in. The average annual salary of a Dental Assistant in different popular cities in India are tabulated below:
| City Names | Annual Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Delhi | INR 3,54,351 |
| Mumbai | INR 4,44,335 |
| Hyderabad | INR 4,35,258 |
| Bangalore | INR 5,46,321 |
| Pune | INR 5,26,466 |
Gender Wise Salary
The salary of a Dental Assistant also varies depending upon the gender of an individual, the average salary of a Dental Assistant in India depending upon their gender is given below:
| Gender | Annual Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Male | INR 2,28,000 |
| Female | INR 2,64,000 |
Check out: Dental Courses After 12th
How to Get Hired as a Dental Assistant
If you enjoy working with people and care about improving their health and self-confidence, then becoming a dental assistant is worth considering. Some of the important tips to get hired as a Dental Assistant are mentioned below; l
A willing-to-do attitude
As this role involves multi-tasking and assisting with precise instruments, concentration and mindfulness are important. A willful attitude can make you an outstanding candidate in a competitive environment.
Job Searching Platforms
Create a profile in job search portals like LinkedIn, Indeed.com, timesjobs.com, quickr.com etc. Add your qualifications, experience, certification details to your profile and keep updating it. Actively apply when you are notified of any vacancy.
Get your Certification
Once you have made a career choice, choose the institute you are going to certify from. Before choosing the institute, ask for an on-campus tour and learn the course structure and practical training offered. This is the place where you get more hands-on experience.
Volunteer
While you are about to finish the course, offer to do some volunteering to gain initial experience. This will give an added advantage once you complete your certification or diploma.
Broaden your networks
While online presence has become quintessential these days, broadening your networks can introduce you to many fresher jobs. Create a good rapport with seniors, staff, and alumni to get you a referral.
With a little bit of preparation and education, you can join the exciting, quickly growing dental assisting industry. Your work will be essential in helping people have confident smiles and better health.
Dental Assistant Salary: FAQs
Ques. What's the job outlook for dental assistants?
Ans. Dental assistants continue to remain in demand. It has been predicted that the job outlook of dental assistants will grow 11% between 2018 and 2028.
Ques. What are the benefits of being a dental assistant?
Ans. Some benefits are:
- Short training
- Good earning potential
- Diversified job responsibilities
- Flexibility and career advancement opportunities
Ques. What key skills can a dental assistant put on their resume?
Ans. Here are some of the skills that can be put in a dental assistant resume:
- Dental procedure preparation
- Digital X-ray skills
- Compassion
- Teamwork
Ques. How stressful is the dental assistant job?
Ans. A dental assistant can have a busy day filled with a variety of tasks that can be challenging but fun for many. It can provide a learning curve for multi-taking.
Ques. Is being a dental assistant a good career?
Ans. People who are interested in dentistry and are willing to land a job after short-term training can choose this as their career path.
Ques. What Is Level 1 Dental Assisting?
Ans. The first category is Level 1, which is strictly “chair-side” dental assisting. Level 1 Dental Assistants are only able to help with “extra-oral” activities – this means that they can only engage in tasks that are outside of the patient’s mouth like preparing and seating patients.
Ques. In what way do Dental Technicians differ from Assistants?
Ans. Dental Technicians are in Level 2 and can do everything Level 1 Dental Assistants can do plus “intraoral” responsibilities, which means that they can work inside a patient’s mouth. Level 2 Dental Technicians can fulfill more advanced duties like polishing teeth and clinical crowns, applying fluoride and sealant, removing stitches from wounds, applying topical anesthetic and agents to reduce sensitivity and tooth decay, and much more.
Ques. What Course will help me become a Level 2 Dental Technician?
Ans. A Dental Assistant certification along with a Dental Technician certification can help you get to Level 2. It is also a certification course.
Ques. What responsibilities does a Dental Technician have?
Ans. A technician can perform extended help in fixing
- Full dentures
- Partial dentures
- Fixed bridges
- Dental technology
- Operating relevant equipment
- Medical records management
- Clinic management
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