How Much Does a Dental Assistant in Springfield, Missouri Make?
Dental assistants work alongside dentists during procedures, handing the dentist instruments and keeping the patient's mouth clear with suction. The assistants have other clinical duties and many also have office responsibilities. The majority work for general dentists, although some work for specialists such as oral surgeons and orthodontists. The average dental assistant salary in Springfield, Missouri, is lower than the national average for this occupation.
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Job Features
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In addition to directly assisting the dentist, dental assistants also sterilize and set up instruments on trays and process X-rays. They escort patients to examination and treatment rooms, get them settled in the dental chair and add a protective covering for their clothing. Office tasks include creating patient charts, updating patient records on the computer, setting appointments, coding and completing insurance forms and sending invoices.
Training
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Dental assistants in Missouri do not need formal training unless employers specify that requirement, or if they want to perform expanded functions in restoration, prosthetics and orthodontics. That type of work requires formal training from a school accredited by the Council on Dental Accreditation. Accredited programs in Missouri as of 2010 include those offered by Concorde Career College, Missouri College, Nichols Career Center, Ozarks Technical Community College, Penn Valley Community College and St. Louis Community College-Forest Park. Before taking this coursework, the dental assistant must have passed the Missouri Basic Skills Mastery Exam or currently hold the credential of certified dental assistant from the Dental Assisting National Board, which requires completing formal training.
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Comparisons
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The national average salary for dental assistants as of 2010 was about $41,300, according to CBSalary. The average salary in Springfield was about $38,700, with the middle 50 percent of dental assistants on the earnings scale there making $27,000 to $46,400. Statewide in Missouri, the average dental assistant salary was $40,600, with the middle 50 percent range at $28,300 to $48,700. The average salary in Joplin was about $33,200, in Columbia $39,700, in St. Louis $42,500, and in Kansas City $44,200.
Networking
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For professional networking in Missouri, dental assistants can join the Missouri Dental Assistants Association. This organization encourages formal education and provides continuing education that can be helpful for those pursuing a career as a dental assistant.
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References
Resources
- Missouri Dental Assistants Association: Objectives
- Missouri Expanded Functions for Dental Assistants: Missouri Dental Assisting Education
- Missouri Expanded Functions for Dental Assistants: Enhancing the Practice
- Missouri Expanded Functions for Dental Assistants: Courses
- Concorde Career Colleges: Dental Assistant
- Photo Credit toothbrush image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
