The dental field involves providing treatment and care for diseases and conditions affecting the teeth, mouth, and gums, and there are many careers to pursue in this industry. Many careers in the dental field provide fulfilling opportunities to help people maintain oral health and improve their appearance and smile. Depending on the position you desire, you may need to pursue a four-year degree or additional education.
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In this article, we share some reasons you may consider working in the dental field and list eight jobs in this field that can be appealing and rewarding.
Why work in the dental field?
A career in the dental field can be both challenging and rewarding. The dental field provides several opportunities to learn new skills and techniques as technology advances.
This field allows you to engage with patients while helping them feel more comfortable in a setting that might cause some discomfort and concern. Being able to offer support and resources that allow patients to feel better while improving their oral health can provide fulfillment for those who choose this career path.
8 dental field jobs
There are several dental field jobs that may be fulfilling and appealing to those who enjoy working with people and providing dental care. Here are eight jobs available in the dental field, ordered by the lowest to the highest earning potential:
1. Medical biller
National average salary: $35,246 per year
Primary duties: A medical biller works in a dental office to calculate and collect payments for the procedures and treatments that the dentist and other staff perform. Their primary duties include updating patient information and records, preparing invoices, submitting bills to insurance companies, collecting payments, investigating claims that insurance companies deny, and applying insurance payments to patient accounts. A medical biller also makes sure that they bill all treatments and procedures accurately and promptly.
Education requirements: A high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) equivalent is necessary for this position. Some dental offices require those working as medical billers to have at least a few years of work experience in this role. A bachelor’s degree in a related field may also be desirable, such as a degree in business, accounting, or health care administration, although experience in medical billing is generally sufficient.
2. Medical receptionist
National average salary: $38,967 per year
Primary duties: A medical receptionist often works in a dental office to handle basic administrative and clerical tasks. These tasks include answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, greeting and checking in patients when they arrive in the office, assisting them in filling out forms, and maintaining the appearance of the dental office, especially the front desk. A medical receptionist is also responsible for documenting treatments and procedures, updating patient records, and keeping patient data confidential in accordance with local and national laws.
Education requirements: Having a high school diploma or GED equivalent is necessary to work as a medical receptionist. Knowledge of medical procedures and terminology, certification in office administration or medical administration, and prior experience working in a dental office can be beneficial for securing this position.
3. Dental assistant
National average salary: $69,057 per year
Primary duties: A dental assistant works alongside a dentist in providing oral care to patients and assists with any needs the dentist has while performing procedures, treatments, and exams. Some common duties include preparing the treatment room with tools and equipment, preparing patients for treatments by seating and draping them, and answering patient questions. They also sterilize tools, maintain patient records, provide patient education, ensure a clean and safe working environment, and maintain an inventory of supplies in the dental office.
Education requirements: To work in this position, candidates typically complete a dental assisting program through a community college, vocational school, university, dental school, or technical institute. Most programs take between nine and 11 months to complete, although some schools offer accelerated options.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), a division of the American Dental Association (ADA), provides accreditation for many dental assistant programs across the United States. A dental assistant may also choose to take a certification exam through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), which allows them to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
4. Dental hygienist
National average salary: $85,447 per year
Primary duties: Dental hygienists provide preventive dental care to patients, including performing exams, cleaning teeth, and educating them on good oral hygiene practices. Other duties include polishing and removing plaque from teeth, reviewing and maintaining patient health records, and using X-ray equipment to take images of the teeth and roots.
In some states, a dental hygienist may perform additional duties, such as removing stitches, administering anesthesia during minor dental procedures, working with metal components, and sculpting filling materials to fill cavities in the teeth. Dental hygienists must work under a licensed dentist.
Education requirements: Working as a dental hygienist requires the completion of a high school diploma or GED equivalent, followed by a dental hygiene degree from an accredited university or college. Some dental hygienists have associate degrees, while others have bachelor’s degrees. This often depends on the state in which the dental hygienist works.
I hope you find this article helpful.
