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Dental Assistants
(SOC Code : 31-9091)
in California

Assist dentist, set up patient and equipment, and keep records.

Employers usually expect an employee in this occupation to be able to do the job after Moderate-term on-the-job training (1-12 months) .

Occupational Wages[Top]
AreaYearPeriodHourly MeanHourly by Percentile
25thMedian75th
California 20231st Qtr$24.61$19.30$23.20$28.75

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")[Top]
 AreaEstimated Year-Projected YearEmploymentEmployment ChangeTotal Job Openings
EstimatedProjectedNumberPercent
California 2018 - 202859,30068,4009,10015.380,660

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Job Openings from JobCentral National Labor Exchange[Top]
 
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Possible Licenses Required and Issuing Authority[Top]
License Title
License Authority
Dental Assistant in Extended Functions - RegisteredDepartment of Consumer Affairs
Dental Board of California
Administration Unit
http://www.dbc.ca.gov
Dental Assistant - RegisteredDepartment of Consumer Affairs
Dental Board of California
Administration Unit
http://www.dbc.ca.gov

About Licenses
 

Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)[Top]
Industry Title
Number of Employers in State of California
Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California
Offices of Dentists 30,26592.4%
Offices of Physicians 58,9742.4%
Outpatient Care Centers 10,3321.2%

About Staffing Patterns
 

Training Programs (click on title for more information)[Top]
Program Title
Dental Assisting/Assistant

About Training & Apprenticeships
 

About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)[Top]
Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)
Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
Record treatment information in patient records.
Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
Fabricate temporary restorations or custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.

More Tasks for Dental Assistants


Top Skills used in this Job
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others` reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others` actions.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

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Top Abilities (Attributes of the person that influence performance in this job.)
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

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Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)
Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.

More WorkValues for Dental Assistants


Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

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Alternate Titles
Registered Dental Assistants (RDA); Certified Registered Dental Assistants; Surgical Dental Assistants; and Orthodontic Assistants
 
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