Dental Assistants
(NOC 3411)
in All HealthDental assistants help dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists during patient exams and treatment and complete clerical functions. They work in dentists' offices, community health centres, clinics, and in educational institutions.
Job Outlook
Good
Read more
Compared to: All Health
The number of dentists in Nova Scotia has been increasing, resulting in a shortage of dental assistants. Demand for this occupation is very strong with vacancies frequently occurring throughout the province, improving the likelihood that a jobseeker will find employment in the community of their choice. In response to the strong demand for dental assistants, one of the colleges offering dental assisting accreditation added a training location in Dartmouth in 2020. Full-time, part-time, and fill-in positions are available, increasing the chance that applicants will find a position with their preferred number of hours.
Hourly Pay
$18.00
Minimum$22.00
Median$36.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$11,685
Minimum$32,788
Median$45,443
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$26.60
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Dental assistants help dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists during patient exams and treatment and complete clerical functions. They work in dentists' offices, community health centres, clinics, and in educational institutions.
Job duties
Dental assistants:
- Prepare patients for dental examination and help the dentist during the examination.
- Sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment.
- Prepare dental instruments and filling materials.
- Take and develop X-rays.
- Polish teeth and clinical crowns and apply fluoride and sealant.
- Take preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts.
- Make and place temporary crowns and restorations.
- Educate patients concerning oral hygiene.
- Invoice patients for dental services.
- Schedule patient appointments and record dental procedures performed.
- Order dental and office supplies.
- May carry out intra-oral duties like remove sutures, take and record vital signs, apply desensitizing agents, topical anesthetic, anticariogenic agents, and apply and remove rubber dams.
Sample job titles
- dental aide
- dental assistant
- dental clinical assistant
- licensed dental assistant
Skills
- You should have good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others. Patience and the ability to handle stressful situations may be needed. You must be efficient and accurate, yet sensitive to the needs of patients. Good manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and an aptitude for detailed and precise work are necessary.
Job requirements
- An eight-month to one-year college or other program in dental assistance, or completion of high school with on-the-job training is required.
- To become a licensed dental assistant in Nova Scotia, you must complete an accredited Level II Dental Assisting program.
- Licensing is required to perform intra-oral duties in Nova Scotia.
- In Nova Scotia the job is regulated by the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia.
Other considerations
- In some provinces there are two levels of dental assistants: Level I chair-side assistant and Level II intra-oral assistant. Progression from Level I to Level II is possible with education, training, and licensure.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$33,406 median annual incomeSouthern
$32,132 median annual incomeAnnapolis Valley
$35,615 median annual incomeCape Breton
$31,905 median annual incomeNorth Shore
$30,279 median annual incomeCompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
Educational services
Public administration
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
65+
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
College Diploma
$32,000 median annual incomeTrade Certification
$35,880 median annual incomeHigh school
N/ABachelor
N/ADiploma Below Bachelor
N/ACompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Dental Assistant
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to provide patient care, take dental radiographs (X-ray photographs), prepare patients and equipment for dental procedures, and discharge office administrative functions under the supervision of dentists and dental hygienists. They include courses in medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient intake, scheduling, equipment maintenance and sterilization, basic radiography, pre-operative and postoperative patient care and instruction, chairside assisting, taking tooth and mouth impressions, and supervised practice.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.