Dental Assistants work as part of a wider dental team, primarily with Dentists, but also with Dental Specialists, Oral Health Therapists, Dental Hygienists and Dental Prosthetists.

The role of a Dental Assistant can be quite diverse, depending upon the requirements of the practice but could include:

• Assisting dentists, hygienists and therapists with dental procedures.
• Preparing for and cleaning up after procedures, including the preparation of materials used in treatments.
• Assisting the dentist during procedures eg. passing instruments, operating suction apparatus.
• Efficient administration of the practice including stock control.
• Acting as the first point of contact for patients at reception – taking payment, scheduling appointments, preparing them for procedures, explaining courses of prescribed treatments, updating patient records.

Your workplace will most likely be within a private or specialist dental practice although there are other options including:

• public dental health clinics (including those run in schools);
• hospital dental clinics – these can incorporate community education on good oral health practices if appropriately qualified; and
• working in the Australian Defence Force, assisting in the care of military personnel.

This role will appeal to those who enjoy interacting with people and have excellent communication skills. You will need to be organised and able to multi-task. Attention to detail is also very important as is the ability to understand and follow instructions.

Between $40,741 and $95,345 per year, depending on the organisation employed and level of experience based on 218 salaries in Australia.
(Reference: www.au.neuvoo.com, 2019)

Middle of the range salary: $55,000
(Reference: National Centre for Vocational Education Research, 2018.)

16,000 job openings over 5 years (that’s about 3,200 a year!)
Reference: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2018

Dental Assistants grew strongly over the past 5 years and is expected to grow over the next 5 years: from 26,600 in 2018 to 28,400 by 2023.
Reference: ABS Labour Force Survey, 2018