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More and more Americans have access to dental insurance plans which is creating a surge in need for qualified dental assistants—an entry-level career for those wanting to join the field of allied health professionals. Dental assisting has multiple degrees and certificate pathways. The primary responsibilities of a dental assistant include basic patient care, taking x-rays, scheduling appointments, and assisting dentists and dental hygienists with clinical tasks.
With 375,430 positions (in May 2024), the field of dental assisting is one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2024) estimates 31,500 new dental assistants will be needed between 2023 and 2033—an 8 percent rate of growth which is faster than the national average for all occupations (4 percent). Fortunately for prospective dental assistants, educational and vocational career pathways are plentiful and offer extensive on-the-job training.
So why is the field of dental assisting growing so rapidly? There are two main reasons: expanded dental care for children and a large aging population in the United States. The expansion of the Affordable Healthcare Act in 2010 has required that children under 18 years old be enrolled in a dental plan as part of the ten essential health benefits. The prevention and treatment needs for children and adults have resulted in more patients going to the dentist, which explains the increasing demand for more allied health dental professionals. Dental assistants are being hired in dental clinics to help dentists and dental hygienists take on this increasing number of patients.
Not only is dental care being incentivized through the Affordable Healthcare Act, but recent legislation passed in 2018 is also helping expand dental care to underserved populations in the United States. The Action for Dental Health Act bill was passed in December 2018 and promises to improve access to oral healthcare for all Americans and expand care to the elderly, blind, disabled, and other patients who may have difficulty accessing dental clinics (American Dental Association). This legislation also signals the need for more highly qualified dental assistants to treat more patients and help with daily clinical and administrative responsibilities in dental offices.
As with most professions, dental assisting has a few different career pathways. The two primary pathways are achieved by earning an associate degree or a certificate in dental assisting. Educational and professional requirements for dental assisting vary from state to state, and professionals can hold both a degree and a certificate in dental assisting.
Candidates applying to take the certified dental assistant (CDA) certification exams must first show that they have completed a CODA-accredited dental assisting program or be able to prove equivalent preparation through related career experience. Certified dental assistants (CDAs) make roughly $4 more per hour than non-certified dental assistants (DANB 2025).
When considering all available dental assisting educational and certification options, knowing how each career pathway differs can help prospective dental assistants enter a program suitable to their career goals.
Read on to learn more about the professional pathways for becoming a dental assistant outlined in the table below.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Dental Assisting Associate Degree vs. Dental Assisting Certificate
| Dental Assisting Associate Degree | Dental Assisting Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Description | Dental assistant programs offering two-year associate’s degrees are a great option for entry-level professionals with a high school diploma or GED who want to gain knowledge, and clinical experience, and enter the workforce within two years. Graduates from CODA-accredited dental assisting programs can stand out in competitive job markets with both a degree and a certificate in dental assisting. Dental assistants with two-year degrees are halfway to completion of a four-year degree. | Dental assistant certificate programs offer two benefits: a relatively quick course of study to learn professional skills and access to entry-level jobs upon completion. This option is ideal for new professionals who want to try out working in the field of dentistry before committing to a two- or four-year program in dental assisting or dental hygiene. Certificate holders can pivot into related allied health occupations by pursuing two-year degrees or four-year degrees in related fields. |
| Educational Requirements for DANB Certification | Graduate with a two-year associate’s degree in dental assisting. | Option 1: Graduate from an educational program that takes nine to 11 months to complete and leads to a diploma or a certificate in dental assisting. Option 2: Complete two years of supervised on-the-job training as a dental assistant (only allowed in some states). Option 3: Complete military training as a dental assistant and two years of supervised on-the-job training. |
| Educational Institutions | Community colleges Dental schools Technical institutes Universities Vocational schools | Community colleges Dental schools Dental clinics Military training Technical institutes Universities Vocational schools |
| Duration | 24 months | Option 1: Six to eleven months Options 2 & 3: Two years |
| State/Local Requirements | Requirements vary by state | Requirements vary by state |
| Typical Coursework | Chairside assisting Community health Dental radiography Dental office administration Dental materials Dental pharmacology Introduction to oral health professions Office management Oral anatomy CPR and first aid | Chairside assisting Dental radiography Dental office administration Dental materials Dental pharmacology Oral anatomy CPR and first aid |
| Program Accreditation Body | Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) (for dental assisting academic programs) | Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) (for dental certification academic programs) |
| Featured On-Campus Programs | Del Mar College (60 credits) Ozarks Technical Community College (61 credits) University of Alaska Fairbanks Community & Technical College (60 credits) | SUNY Erie (31.5 credits) Ivy Tech Community College (43 credits) Indiana University (30 credits) |
| Featured Online or Hybrid Programs | Wallace State Community College, hybrid (60 credits) Ivy Tech Community College (64 credits) Herzing University, hybrid (68 credits) | Hudson Valley Community College (27 credits) Monroe Community College (17 credits) Sinclair College, hybrid (17 credits) |
| Skills Learned | The skills learned in dental assisting degree and certificate programs are similar, but due to the longer duration of dental assisting degree programs (24 months v. six to 11 months), students learn the following skills more in-depth in the classroom and clinical settings of dental assisting degree programs: Application of fluoride and sealants Customer service CPR & first aid Explaining proper dental hygiene practices to patients Examination prep and clean up Equipment sterilization Four-handed dentistry (i.e., assisting a dentist or dental hygienist with a procedure) Hands-on clinical learning Office administration (e.g. appointment scheduling, creating and maintaining records, ordering supplies) Taking dental x-rays | Application of fluoride and sealants Customer service CPR & first aid Explaining proper dental hygiene practices to patients Examination prep and clean up Equipment sterilization Four-handed dentistry (assisting a dentist or dental hygienist with a procedure) Hands-on clinical learning Office administration (e.g. appointment scheduling, creating and maintaining records, ordering supplies)Taking dental x-rays |
| Salary – How Much Do Dental Assistants Make? | The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024) does not distinguish between dental assistants with certificates and those with associate degrees. The BLS (May 2023) found an average annual salary of $48,860 among the 375,430 dental assistants employed nationwide, although candidates with associate degrees may be eligible for greater pay. In more detailed terms, here is a breakdown of the salary percentiles among all dental assistants in the country (BLS May 2024): Number of dental assistants employed: 375,430 Annual mean wage: $48,860 10th percentile: $36,190 25th percentile: $39,520 50th percentile (median): $47,300 75th percentile: $56,910 90th percentile: $61,780 It’s important to note that these figures also varied based on the source of data. For illustration, Indeed (April 2025) found an average annual salary of $74,525 among United States dental assistants. PayScale (April 2025) found the following percentiles nationally: 10th percentile: $27,000 50th percentile (median): $39,885 90th percentile: $59,000 | The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024) found an average annual salary of $48,860 among the 375,430 dental assistants employed nationwide. In more detailed terms, here is a breakdown of the salary percentiles among all dental assistants in the country (BLS May 2024): Number of dental assistants employed: 375,430 Annual mean wage: $48,860 10th percentile: $36,190 25th percentile: $39,520 50th percentile (median): $47,300 75th percentile: $56,910 90th percentile: $61,780 It’s important to note that these figures also varied based on the source of data. For illustration, Indeed (April 2025) found an average annual salary of $74,525 among United States dental assistants. PayScale (April 2025) found the following percentiles nationally: 10th percentile: $27,000 50th percentile (median): $39,885 90th percentile: $59,000 |
| Future Options | Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification through DANB Registered Dental Assistant certification (RDA) Dental assisting specialization certificate coursework in an allied dental assisting field (e.g., orthodontics, oral surgery, etc.) Certification (RDA) Dental hygiene bachelor’s degree (completion of a four-year degree and state-level licensure) | Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification through DANB National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) Certification Registered Dental Assistant certification (RDA) Dental assistant two-year associate’s degree Dental assisting specialization certificate coursework in an allied dental assisting field (e.g., orthodontics, oral surgery, etc.) Dental hygienist bachelor’s degree (completion of a four-year degree and state-level licensure) |
