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Hi, I am thinking about going to dental assisting school. For those who are dental assistants what are you making, and what are your benefits (do you get free dental care), do you enjoy the work? I ultimatly want to be a dental hygienist but want to get experience first before applying to the hygiene program, plus I need to improve my grades first. Anyways, I would just like to know what to expect regarding pay, hours, benefits. Oh and if you dont mind please say where your from because I know cost of living plays a huge part in what your pay is. Thanks so much.
I'm a dentist living and working in upstate PA. The two hygienist that are employed at this clinic make somewhere between $20-25/hour, give or take. I'm not sure of the exact number but I have a feeling it's somewhere in that range. I actually started out as a dental assistant while in the air force and got out, went to college and got myself into dental school and let me tell you having been an assistant really helped out. I also did hygiene for 2 years in the air force which really helped out too. As an assistant, I think some of the assistants here make around $12/hour, and if they're an EFDA they probably make around $15/hour, again that's ballpark range. Nothing wrong with doing assisting before hygiene, in fact, I kinda of advocate that. I wish all hygienist were assistants beforehand because it makes working with them alittle easier. There are slow days in hygiene and it helps to have a hygienist that can assist on a moments notice and know some of the instruments and tools. Believe it or not, I value an assistant over having a hygienist any day of the week. Good luck and if you have more questions don't be afraid to ask.
My sister has been an assistant for 20 years. She works for a specialist (endodonist). She has always made $20-25 an hour, and had great benefits. The only time she made less is the first few years she got into it, and when she moved to Tucson for awhile. They pay a whopping $8 an hour there. She left because of that. My hygenist told me she makes around 55k.
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