Dental Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities: The responsibilities of dental assistants are expanding, partially to facilitate more people getting access to care in this country when they can’t afford to visit a dentist

Salary: The pay scale for dental assistants ranges from about $23,550 to $47,580. In 2012, the average pay for dental assistants was $35,080 and the median pay was $34,500. Those with the highest salaries live in the metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Nashua, N.H., and Haverhill, Mass.

Education: Dental assistant training programs typically last from nine months to two years, leading to a certificate, diploma or associate’s degree. During dental assistant training, students learn a variety of useful job skills, both clinical and administrative.

Reflection: I don’t really like this job because well it just doesn’t catch my attention.