How to Become a Dental Assistant in New York

There are 2 types of assistants that dentists can have:

• certified – can perform specific tasks for which they attended related training, such as:
  • Take preliminary medical histories and/or vital signs
  • Remove stitches placed by a dentist
  • Select and pre-fit temporary crowns and orthodontic bands
  • Apply local cavity-preventing agents
• non-certified – can only work under supervision, performing basic functions, such as:
  • Prepare instruments, materials, and medicaments
  • Decontaminate, scrub, package, and sterilize instruments
  • Prepare patient for treatment

Job Outlook

In 2013 in the State of New York, there were almost 1300 dental assistants and about 110 were certified.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted job growth of 19% for this profession, until 2024.

The salary depends on a variety of factors, but the median ones in various cities in New York can be seen below.

Regional Salary in New York

Earning a certification will increase your earnings.

Dental Assistant Schools and Degree Options

To be accepted at a training school, candidates need a high school diploma or GED.

There are 3 options for training schools in New York:

1.Training programs that were approved by the New York State Education Department;

2. Dental assisting programs recognized by the State Education Department.

These must include one of the following, for at least 24 semester hours:

• Minimum of 200 hours of clinical experience
• Biomedical sciences
• Professional dental assisting and clinical content
• Oral and written communications and basic behavioral concepts classes

These programs need to last at least 1 year.

3.An alternative program, recognized by the New York State Education Department.

The program must cover:

• Biomedical sciences
• Professional dental assisting and clinical content
• A minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practical work.

To be certified, the candidates must pass an exam.

Examination

The exams to become a certified dental assistant are administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

The candidates have to pass three exams, but only if they meet one of these two requirements:

1. Complete a CODA-accredited program or accumulate at least 3,500 hours of work experience as a dental assistant.

The exam has these components:

• Radiation health and safety
• Infection control
• General chairside

2. Individuals who don’t meet the previous requirements need to pass the dental assisting examination through DANB.

This exam has 3 parts:

• radiation health and safety
• infection control examination components
• New York Professional Dental Assisting component.

The DANB license needs to be renewed every year, but for these 30 continuing education credits must be completed.

Applying for the License

There’s an application candidate need to fill out, called Form 1, and there’s also a fee of $103 for the license, that needs to be paid.

There’s also a Form 2 to fill out, that has two parts, with one of them to be filled out by the candidate and the other part to be filled out by the registrar and then sent directly from the educational institution to the Office of the Professions.

Applying for a Limited Permit

With a Limited Permit, individuals are allowed to work while supervised until they meet the requirements for the examination.

These permits are valid for one year and their holders can only renew it once.

To apply for the Limited Permit, individuals need to fill out Form 5 and pay the $40 fee.

Forms 1 and 2 must also be completed and submitted along with the fee of $103.

The applications must be sent to the NYS Education Department.

Dental Assisting by City

Dental Assisting by State