How to Become a Dental Assistant in New York
If you want a job in the healthcare field and live in New York, then getting trained to be a dental assistant may be a good career path for you.
Those in the role of dental assistant can enjoy a rewarding job that involves helping and interacting with others on a daily basis.
Education & Training
Interested in becoming a dental assistant in New York? New York dental assistants must finish specific, state-mandated training and achieve a certain level of education before being allowed to work.
Required Training
Individuals must complete an approved program that typically lasts about one year. Hopefuls can find these programs at dental assistant trade schools, technical schools, or community colleges.
What Training Covers
Many of these programs will feature classroom and laboratory work where students learn about the teeth, gums, and jaws. Students also learn about the different types of instruments in a dentist’s office and how to use them.
Necessary Courses
Classes that a student may have to take during a dental assisting program are:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Dental Materials
- Lab Procedures
- Chairside Materials and Procedures
- Radiology
- Tooth Morphology
Requirements
To become a dental assistant in the state of New York, applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Qualification Requirements
Individuals must also successfully complete an approved one-year course in dental assisting from a degree-granting institution, completing at least 200 hours of clinical experience or the equivalent of approved courses from a non-degree granting institution.
Types of Dental Assistants in New York
Registered Dental Assistant
There are two types of dental assistants in the state of New York. First, there is a “Registered Dental Assistant.” This is someone who has completed a dental assisting program or an alternative course of study acceptable to the New York State Education Department.
Limited Permit Dental Assistant
A “Dental Assistant with a Limited Permit” is an individual who has completed an approved dental assisting program but has yet to pass the required state exams.
A person with a limited permit may perform all tasks designated to a registered dental assistant under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist. The permit expires after one year and can be renewed one time.
Dental Assistant Salaries in NY
Like most professions, the average salary of a dental assistant in New York will depend on a number of different factors. The amount of experience, location, and education can all play a part in determining how much a worker in this role earns.
A dental assistant salary that you may be able to make in New York is:
- Brooklyn $53,041
- Buffalo $42,164
- Syracuse $43,458
- Albany $44,610
- Bronx $53,000
Job Description
What Do They Do?
Dental assistants typically have a variety of responsibilities that they need to complete throughout the day. These workers can help with patient care, assist with scheduling appointments, and keep patient records.
Additional Tasks
Other tasks that a dental assistant in New York may have are:
- Ensure patient comfort
- Prepare work area for treatment and procedure
- Sterilize instruments
- Assist dentist during procedure with the handling of instruments
- Dry patient’s mouth using specialized equipment
- Instruct patients on correct oral hygiene practices
- Process x-rays
- Assist patients with billing and payments
No Radiography Requirement Needed
Unlike some other states, New York does not have a radiography requirement, meaning that any dental assistant in New York may legally operate any and all radiography equipment in the dentist’s office.
Career Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the career outlook for dental assistant jobs in New York is strong. Experts predict that the need for dental assistants will increase by around eight percent across the nation from 2021-2031. Factors for this rise in jobs will include professionals leaving the field and workers entering retirement.