How to Succeed as a Dental Assistant in Portland, Oregon?

by | Jul 12, 2023 | Dental Assisting Program

​​Looking into becoming a dental assistant in Portland Oregon? Dental assistants are an integral part of any dental office setup, assisting dentists during their procedures. When you choose to enroll in a dental assisting program, you’ll get classroom instruction in addition to hands-on clinical training. And you’ll cover topics like oral health, dental anatomy, cosmetic dentistry, dental radiography, dental specialties, patient care, and more.

Once you complete your program, you’ll be eligible to take a dental assisting exams to register as a dental assistant, and once you’re a registered dental assistant (RDA), employment opportunities will open up. Let’s delve further into how you can succeed as a dental assistant in Portland Oregon!

Why Should You Consider Becoming a Dental Assistant in Portland, Oregon?

If you’re seriously considering becoming a dental assistant here in Portland, you may be wondering if it’s a good idea. Rest assured, it is! For one thing, you don’t have to limit yourself to just general dentist offices. Here are some advantages of considering a career as a dental assistant:

Growing Job Demand

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of dental assistants is expected to grow by 8% between 2021 and 2023. While this may not seem like a large number, it’s actually faster than average for many occupations. What this means for anyone who has completed a dental assisting program is that there will be available jobs.

A Variety of Job Responsibilities

A dental assisting program teaches you about radiology, cosmetic dentistry, prosthodontics, and even administrative skills. This allows you to perform a wide range of tasks. Besides interacting with patients, you may take X-rays, prepare the dental rooms, and sterilize instruments. This variety will keep the job interesting as well as provide opportunities for continued growth.

Quick Entry into the Workforce

A dental assisting program doesn’t take very long, which means you can get your degree in a relatively short period. The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts there will be roughly 56,400 openings for dental assistants every year. This means you’ll be able to enter the workforce relatively quickly.

Interaction with Patients

A dental assistant job has a surprising amount of direct patient interaction. Dental assistants are often the first to interact with patients, reassure them and comfort them before an upcoming dental procedure. You will also have the opportunity to educate patients about their oral health.

Growth

Because there are so many facets in the dental field, dental assistants have the opportunity to grow in different directions. They may choose to specialize in areas like radiology, or they may decide to advance their careers and become dentists themselves.

Compensation and Benefits

The median salary for dental assistants is $38,660. This can vary, however, based on your location, your job responsibilities, and your experience. Dental assistants may also get healthcare coverage, paid time off, and retirement benefits. The average pay for dental assistants in Portland, Oregon, tends to be higher than national averages.

Where Can You Earn the Most as a Dental Assistant?

Many dental assistants graduate under the impression that the only employment opportunities waiting for them are at a general dentist’s office. This is far from the truth! Here are some high-paying job opportunities that dental assistants can apply for:

Specialty Dental Offices

Assistants can expand their employment opportunities to orthodontic offices, oral surgery practices, and pediatric dentistry offices. Some of these specialized practices offer higher salaries than a general dentist’s office.

Dental Clinics in Large Healthcare Facilities

Some healthcare facilities offer dental clinics as well. Assistants working there can receive higher salaries as the clinic is integrated into a large healthcare facility.

Dental Insurance Companies

Dental insurance companies may need assistants to help them conduct dental assessments or process insurance packages. As this is more of an administrative job, the compensation can be better than what some general dentist offices offer.

Dental Schools

Feel like educating the next generation of assistants? A dental assistant can help with teaching and clinical work.

Dental Product Companies

Assistants can help with clinical trials for a specific dental product or on the research side, developing new dental technology.

What to Expect: Specialty Office Dental Assisting in Portland, Oregon

For those interested in taking their services to a specialty office, here are some offices to consider.

Orthodontist Assistant in Portland, OR

If you choose to work as an orthodontist assistant, you will be working with orthodontists to help beautify smiles and correct misaligned teeth. As an assistant, your main responsibilities in an orthodontist’s office would be:
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Assisting with orthodontic procedures:

As an assistant, you will help the orthodontist fit and adjust braces as well as remove braces. You will also help take impressions of teeth and explain what retainers or braces can do for their smile.
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Preparing treatment rooms:

You will ensure the treatment room is organized and properly equipped with all the instruments the orthodontist requires. This may also involve sterilizing any equipment needed for orthodontic procedures.
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Taking orthodontic records:

Assistants also help take digital scans of teeth and jaws so the orthodontist can determine what kind of treatment plan will be most effective.
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Educating patients:

After patients receive retainers or braces, you may be required to provide instructions on oral hygiene and oral care. You may also need to answer questions.
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Scheduling appointments and managing patient records:

Some assistants prefer to carry out administrative tasks. In this case, you may be responsible for keeping accurate patient records, scheduling appointments, and conducting follow-up surveys.

Endodontic Assistant in Portland, OR

If you enjoy the surgery side of dentistry, you may want to become an endodontist assistant. An endodontist performs root canal treatments and other oral surgery required to save people’s teeth. Your main responsibilities as an endodontist assistant would include:

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Assisting with root canal treatments:

As an assistant, you would work with the endodontists during procedures, such as a root canal. Some of the jobs you may be tasked with include isolating the tooth to be treated, operating equipment like suction devices, and handing instruments to the endodontist.
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Taking dental X-rays and impressions:

Assistants are often tasked with getting dental impressions and X-rays. These can help the endodontist diagnose the issue correctly and come up with an effective treatment plan.
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Preparing treatment rooms:

As with any surgery, you will need to ensure the treatment room is clean and properly equipped. You will also need to sterilize any equipment needed for the oral surgery procedure.

Surgical Dental Assistant in Portland, OR

Working as a surgical dental assistant can be especially exciting, and it’s a job that offers competitive salaries. A maxillofacial surgeon performs surgeries on patients who need oral reconstructive surgery, have impacted wisdom teeth, have misaligned jaws, and more. Some of your responsibilities would include:

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Preparing the surgical environment:

The operating room of a surgical dentist would look a little different from a general dentist’s office. Besides preparing the necessary equipment, you would be tasked with sterilizing all the equipment and ensuring the surgeon has all the right tools for the procedure.
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Preventing infection:

Because surgery is an involved procedure, there are strict guidelines to ensure a safe and clean surgical environment. In addition, you must learn to follow the infection control guidelines when disposing of waste and when sterilizing equipment to prevent the spread of infection.
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Assisting during oral surgeries:

As an assistant, you will help with oral surgical procedures, such as bone grafting, dental implants, corrective jaw surgeries, and more. You may also assist the surgeon by passing instruments and providing suction.
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Managing anesthesia:

A general dentist’s office typically doesn’t require anesthesia. However, surgical dentists do need to work with anesthesia during their surgical procedures. Part of your duty may be to set up the anesthesia equipment and help with patient positioning.
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Taking dental X-rays:

Assistants typically have to take X-rays before, during, and after surgery. This helps surgical dentists plan their treatment and monitor their progress during the healing process.
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Explaining pre/post-operative procedures:

As an assistant, you will explain both the pre-operative and post-operative instructions to patients. You will also answer their questions and ensure they are comfortable throughout the procedure.

Periodontal Assistant in Portland OR

If you enjoy working with gums, you may want to work with a periodontist. A periodontist specializes in the gums surrounding the teeth. Periodontists perform gum grafts, gingival flap surgeries, and more. Some of your responsibilities as a periodontal assistant would include:

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Assisting with periodontal procedures:

As a periodontist assistant, you will have exciting and in-depth procedures to help with. You will work closely with periodontists during root planing, gum grafting, and any surgeries involving the tissue around the teeth.
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Taking periodontal measurements:

A new skill that you may have to learn as a periodontal assistant is how to measure the gums. Periodontists use these measurements to determine the health of the gums.
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Taking dental X-rays:

Like with other dental offices, you will be taking dental X-rays so the periodontist can get an accurate picture of the gums.
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Sterilizing instruments and maintaining infection control:

Like surgical dentists, periodontists need to maintain infection control in their surgery rooms. You will typically be tasked with following strict infection control guidelines.
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Educating patients on periodontal care:

Periodontal care is a little different from taking care of your teeth, and you will have to educate patients post-surgery on oral care practices.

Pediatric Dental Assistant in Portland, OR

If you love working with children, consider applying as a pediatric dental assistant. A pediatric dentist (or pedodontist) oversees the dental needs of infants, toddlers, and children. Some of your responsibilities as an assistant would be:

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Assisting with pediatric dental procedures:

As an assistant, you will be helping with fluoride treatments, dental sealant placement, dental fillings, and more. You may also provide suction and pass any instruments to the pedodontist during a checkup. Like with all dental offices, you will also need to sterilize equipment and prepare the treatment room.
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Assisting with pediatric dental procedures:

As an assistant, you will be helping with fluoride treatments, dental sealant placement, dental fillings, and more. You may also provide suction and pass any instruments to the pedodontist during a checkup. Like with all dental offices, you will also need to sterilize equipment and prepare the treatment room.
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Managing child behavior:

Children are often terrified of going to the dentist. You may be asked to put children at ease or hand out toys or healthy treats after their visit. You may also need to distract them during their treatments to help comfort them.
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Taking dental X-rays:

Like adults, children need X-rays so dentists can determine the best treatment plan or simply see how their new teeth are coming in. As an assistant, you will ensure that the proper radiation safety protocols are in place.
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Educating patients on periodontal care:

Educating parents and children is an important part of an assistant’s job. You must explain proper flossing and brushing techniques as well as educate them on what kinds of sugary snacks to avoid.

These above specialties are worth researching if you would like to specialize beyond general dentistry. And because they are more specialized, they often pay more!

The Dental Assisting Licensing Requirements and Process in Oregon

After getting your degree from an accredited program, you can become a registered dental assistant in Oregon by passing two exams. These are:

• The Radiation Health and Safety Examination: Individuals must show knowledge of radiation health and the safety risks involved. Like the ICE section, there are 80 questions on the exam and 60 minutes of test time.

• The Infection Control Examination (ICE): Individuals must show a thorough knowledge of dental infection control procedures. There are 80 questions on the exam and 60 minutes of test time.

Once you pass these two exams, you are now a registered dental assistant. However, if you’re seeking more job opportunities, you may want to consider getting certified.

To become a certified dental assistant, you will need to take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam. This gives you a certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Why Should You Consider Our Vancouver Dental Assisting School?

Vancouver Dental Assisting School gives you a well-rounded education in all facets of the dental industry in just 10 weeks! We’ll cover the basics of dentistry and then provide courses like radiology, cosmetic dentistry, AIDS/HIV training, and CPR. We even have an entire course focused on dental specialties if you are hoping to work at a dental specialty office.

Our program is run by an experienced dentist and a practicing dental assistant. We offer options, too. You can sign up for our in-person program or our online program. Worried about the cost? Talk to us about our financial aid options. There are scholarships available as well as a WorkSource WA Financial Aid. We can always discuss ways to make it work for you!

In-Person Programs

When you apply for the dental assisting in-person program, you will attend lectures in the classroom on our upper floor. Clinicals will be in one of the fully equipped five patient rooms. There are 10 courses, which are listed below. In addition to these courses, AIDs/HIV and CPR training will be included in your coursework.

  • Course #1: Introduction to Dentistry and Dental
  • Course #2: Basic Dental Assisting Theory – Part 1
  • Course #3: Basic Dental Assisting Theory – Part 2
  • Course #4: Assisting for Operative Dentistry
  • Course #5: Radiology – Part 1
  • Course #6: Radiology – Part 2
  • Course #7: Assisting for Prosthodontics
  • Course #8: Dental Specialties
  • Course #9: Cosmetic Dentistry – Introduction to Administrative Techniques
  • Course #10: Administrative Techniques (cont.), Interview Techniques, CPR Certification, and Graduation

To graduate from the 10-week dental assisting program, you must pass a written exam and a clinical. You must also complete 100 hours of clinical externship hours.  The class is one day a week, from 9 am-5 pm each day. Lectures are in the morning, and clinical training is in the afternoon, after lunch.  

View Our In-Person Program

 Online Programs

If you choose the dental assisting online program, you will have the same courses as the in-person program. These are:

  • Course #1: Introduction to Dentistry and Dental
  • Course #2: Basic Dental Assisting Theory – Part 1
  • Course #3: Basic Dental Assisting Theory – Part 2
  • Course #4: Assisting for Operative Dentistry
  • Course #5: Radiology – Part 1
  • Course #6: Radiology – Part 2
  • Course #7: Assisting for Prosthodontics
  • Course #8: Dental Specialties
  • Course #9: Cosmetic Dentistry – Introduction to Administrative Techniques
  • Course #10: Administrative Techniques (cont.), Interview Techniques, CPR Certification, and Graduation

Like the in-person program, the AIDs/HIV and CPR training will be included in your coursework. However, these courses will all be offered online.

The online program lets students learn from home on either Sundays or Wednesdays. In addition to the online instructor-led lectures, you can choose in-person or virtual labs. The tuition cost is $2,295 for the 10-week program. Register a class for only $99.

View Our Online Program

Become a Successful Dental Assistant in Portland, Oregon

Becoming a dental assistant doesn’t mean you’re limited to just a general dentist’s office. As you can see, you have so many more options. Whether you’re interested in specializing in gums, or oral surgery, or you enjoy working with children, there are a variety of jobs you can search for. Get your dental assistant degree today, and see a world of opportunities open up for you! Ready to jump-start right away? Register for a class below!

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