Dental Assistant Employment Outlook
One of the fastest growing professions in the health care industry, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, is that of Dental Assistant. The profession is expected to grow over 27 percent by 2014. Demand for experienced and trained staff will be high but, unlike other health care professions, there is significant demand for entry-level staff who receive on-the-job training.
In 2004, there were approximately 267,000 people employed in the U.S. as Dental Assistants.
The growth of the dental industry and the dental assistant employment opportunity is driven by two factors: aging dentists and advanced dental techniques. In increasing numbers, aging dentists are turning over their practices to younger, more modern dentists who are being trained to make more extensive use of Dental Assistants. Advanced dental techniques require complex solutions. By turning over routine tasks to Dental Assistants, dentists can then concentrate on advanced dental procedures.
