by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, dental assisting/assistant was the 330th most popular major nationwide with 17,223 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 2,781 over the prior year, a growth of 16.1%.
Our 2023 Best Dental Assisting/Assistant Schools ranking analyzes 98 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for dental assisting/assistant students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of dental assisting programs later in this article.
When studying Dental Assisting, you’ll learn that 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 will help you be successful in a wide range of jobs. Talking to others to convey information effectively and understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents are all required skills for careers related to this major.
dental assisting/assistant degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific dental assisting careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different dental assisting degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in dental assisting/assistant to something that takes less time like a . The type of dental assisting degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to dental assisting, with approximately 18.0% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to dental assisting tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 40.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 13.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 9.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 9.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 7.0% |
About 50.0% of workers in careers related to dental assisting obtain at least bachelor's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in dental assisting/assistant have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the dental assisting career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your dental assisting degree? Dental Assisting/Assistant careers are expected to grow 22.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to dental assisting/assistant.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistants | 396,600 | 19.5% |
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
As you might expect, salaries for dental assisting graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for dental assisting/assistant graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers dental assisting grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Dental Assistants | $39,770 |
With over 794 different dental assisting degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased dental assisting school rankings to help you with this.
One of 3 majors within the Dental Support Services area of study, Dental Assisting/Assistant has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygiene/Hygienist | 8,807 |
| Dental Laboratory Technology/Technician | 287 |
| Other Dental Services & Allied Professions | 82 |
