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Dental assistants are a vital part of every dental practice.
From meeting and greeting patients to keeping the place fresh and clean, to assisting the licensed dentist with various tasks.
Their job is challenging, but a lot of individuals wish to become dental assistants.
The responsibilities of a dental assistant depend on the state they want to work in.
Every state has its regulations regarding dental assistants.
Article Table of Contents
- 1 Dental Assistants in Louisiana in Numbers
- 2 How to Become a Dental Assistant in Louisiana
- 3 Certification Options for Dental Assistants in Louisiana
- 4 National Certification Options for Dental Assistants in Louisiana
- 5 Do’s and Don’ts of Dental Assistant in Louisiana
- 6 How Much Does a Dental Assistant in Louisiana Earn
- 7 Dental Assistant Schools in Louisiana
Dental Assistants in Louisiana in Numbers
There are 3.830 dental assistants employed in the state of Louisiana.
This is a 2.03 ratio of dental assistants for each one thousand inhabitants.
The main compensation for dental assistants in Louisiana is $29,310, with a chance for growth and bonuses based on education and experience.
A total of 960 new job openings (30%) for dental assistants are expected in the state by the year 2020.
Dental assistants can join the LADAA (Louisiana Dental Assistants Association).
It is a chapter of the American Assistants Association.
The association is helping individuals in the dental field.
There are countless benefits for those who wish to join, such as continuing education, networking opportunities and national meetings.
How to Become a Dental Assistant in Louisiana
The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry was built up in 1880, as the official state organization in charge of managing the dental field in Louisiana.
The state perceives both dental assistants and dental assistants qualified to perform expanded functions.
The job of a dental assistant in the state of Louisiana is an entry-level one and individuals are not required to complete an education or training.
All things considered, managers prefer candidates with larger amounts of education and training.
An expanded duty dental assistant is allowed to perform a larger number of obligations than a basic dental assistant.
To accomplish EDDA status, individuals must meet the listed below requirements:
- Be an alum of a Louisiana Board-affirmed, as well as accredited by the CODA (Commission on Dental Accreditation) dental assisting program that gives preparing in EDDA capacities and obligations
- Confirm finishing off a Louisiana Board-affirmed radiology, or x-ray, safety, and function course
- Give verification of a valid CPR confirmation
- Submit the State of Louisiana EDDA Certificate Confirmation Application
- Pay a 100 USD fee for the application
Certification Options for Dental Assistants in Louisiana
When starting a dental assistant or expanded duty dental assistant program, the program must be Louisiana Board-endorsed, CODA-authorized, and incorporate somewhere around thirty hours of instruction.
These programs regularly result in certification, yet partner’s degrees may likewise be accessible.
To meet the requirements set by the Louisiana State Board, courses have to include the list below:
- CPR life support instruction
- Criteria for correct performance of expanded duties
- Effects of improper performance of expanded duties
- Emergencies in dental assisting
- The reasons for performing expanded duties
- Familiarity with the Dental Practice Act
- The jurisprudence of dental assistants
- Oral anatomy
- Placement of pit and fissure sealants
- X-ray functions
National Certification Options for Dental Assistants in Louisiana
DANB (The Dental Assisting National Board) gives national accreditation that demonstrates a dental assistant’s commitment to the field, and help dental assistants enhance their potential of earning more money.
DANB offers four examination and accreditation alternatives:
- CDA (Certified Dental Assistant)
- COA (Certified Orthodontic Assistant)
- CPFDA (Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant)
- CRFDA (Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant)
The most pursued certification by dental assistants is the CDA.
The CDA exam consists of three sub-exams.
Each of the exams can be taken separately or together as a full exam.
The exams part of the CDA examination are the following:
- GC (General Chairside Assisting) exam (200 USD fee)
- RHS (Radiation Health and Safety) exam (175 USD fee)
- ICE (Disease Control) (175 USD fee)
If the applicant decides to take the full CDA exam, he or she will have to pay a fee for the full CDA exam of 375 USD.
To take the full CDA exam, a candidate must do the following:
- Check if he or she is eligible
- Apply and pay a fee
- Schedule the date, time and location
The CDA exam is held at Pearson VUE centers.
Such centers in Louisiana can be found in Baton Rouge, Metairie, Shreveport, as well as in out-of-state cities like Texarkana, Arkansas and Jackson, Mississippi.
Do’s and Don’ts of Dental Assistant in Louisiana
Dental assistants in the state of Louisiana are allowed to perform procedures approved by the Louisiana State Board, under the supervision of a dentist who has been licensed.
Some of these procedures are listed below:
- Serve as the licensed dentist’s chairside assistant
- Take and develop dental radiographs intra-oral photographs
- Take and develop intra-oral photographs
- Take and record blood pressure, pulse, and temperature
- Application of non-aerosol topical anesthetics, as well as desensitizing agents, non-endodontic oxygenating agents, and topical fluorides
- Chart existing restorations and missing teeth
- Floss teeth
- Make preliminary mouth inspections
- Educate patients about the right oral hygiene procedures
- Remove cement from dental restorations and appliances
- Make dental plaque smears
- Place and/or remove preformed crowns
- Place and/or remove cutting, ligatures, and tucking ligatures
- Remove final impressions
The listed below procedures are not allowed for dental assistants who have been employed after the 30th of July, 1992:
- Application of cavity liners
- Exclude capping of exposed pulpal tissue
- Place, wedge, or remove matrices
- Place and remove periodontal dressings and retraction cords
A dental assistant who wishes to further their education must obtain a Louisiana Board-approved EDDA certificate.
After achieving certification, dental assistants can perform various duties delegated by the dentist, as long as they are done under his/her supervision, are not harmful to patients and can be easily reversed.
EDDAs are allowed to perform the listed below duties:
- Procedures regarding coronal polishing
- Place, wedge, and/or remove matrices
- Application of bases and cavity liners
- Placement and removal of retraction cords
- Enhance temporaries
Dental assistants qualified to perform expanded duties are prohibited by the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry to perform the listed below duties:
- Administer local anesthetic
- Comprehensive examination
- Cutting procedures
- Periodontal probing and screening
- Remove calculus
- Place antimicrobial agents
- Planning roots
- Prescribe medication and drugs
- Surgical procedures
How Much Does a Dental Assistant in Louisiana Earn
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| New Orleans, LA | $36,263 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $33,603 |
| Shreveport, LA | $33,584 |
| Metairie, LA | $36,263 |
| Lafayette, LA | $33,343 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $33,101 |
| Kenner, LA | $36,244 |
| Bossier City, LA | $33,584 |
| Monroe, LA | $33,409 |
| Alexandria, LA | $32,364 |
Regional Salary in Louisiana
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, LA | 150 | $34,030 | $16.36 | $45,300 | $26,290 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | 1,080 | $36,650 | $17.62 | $47,440 | $28,600 |
| Hammond, LA | 100 | $35,040 | $16.85 | $44,880 | $29,120 |
| Houma-Thibodaux, LA | 210 | $34,830 | $16.74 | $44,210 | $28,080 |
| Lafayette, LA | 550 | $35,170 | $16.91 | $44,230 | $27,700 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 200 | $35,850 | $17.24 | $46,550 | $27,440 |
| Monroe, LA | 310 | $34,390 | $16.53 | $44,270 | $28,670 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | 1,390 | $38,520 | $18.52 | $48,090 | $29,750 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | 500 | $35,370 | $17.01 | $45,450 | $28,380 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Dental Assistant Schools in Louisiana
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| NODC School for Dental Assisting | 1901 Manhattan Blvd., Suite F-201 Harvey, LA 70058 |
| Baton Rouge Dental Assistant Academy | 8894 Airline Highway, Suite M Baton Rouge, LA 70815 |
| New Orleans Dental Assistant School | 1002 LA-59 Mandeville, LA 70448 |
| Lafayette Dental Assistant School | 538 E. Gloria Switch Rd. Lafayette, LA 70507 |
| Baton Rouge Dental Assistant Academy | 8894 Airline Highway, Suite M Baton Rouge, LA 70815 |
| Shreveport Dental Assistant School | 6150 Line Avenue Shreveport, LA 71106 |
| ARK-LA-Tex Dental Assistant Academy | 910 Bert Kouns Ind. Loop Shreveport, LA 71118 |
| Houma Dental Assistant School | 5683 LA-311 Houma, LA 70360 |
| Southwest Dental Academy | 221 Southpark Road Suite D-2, Lafayette, LA 70508 |
| Arch Dental Assistant Academy - Louisiana | 8894 Airline Hwy Suite M, Baton Rouge, LA 70815, |
| Louisiana Dental Institute | 2204 Forsythe Ave Monroe, LA 71201 |
| LSU Health New Orleans Continuing Dental Education | 1100 Florida Avenue • Box 142-B • Clinic Building • Room 4319 • New Orleans • Louisiana 70119-2799 |
| OceanPointe Dental Academy of Hammond | 1607 Martens Drive Hammond, Louisiana, 70401 |
| Academy of Acadiana | 1800 Ryan Street Lake Charles, LA 70601 |
| Academy of Acadiana | 131 W. Main Street New Iberia, LA 70560 |
| Louisiana Dental Assistant School | 1338 Church Street, Zachary, LA 70791 |
| Delta College - Baton Rouge | 7380 Exchange Pl, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. |
| Delta College - Lafayette | 200 Republic Ave. Lafayette, LA 70508 |
| Delta College - Covington | 2401 N. Hwy 190 Covington, LA 70433 |
| Delta College - Slidell | 105 Gause Blvd W. Slidell, LA 70460 |
| Medical Training College | 10525 Plaza Americana Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70816 |
| Eastern College | 201 Evans Rd Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70123, |
| River Cities School of Dental Assisting | 1945 E 70th St Ste F, Shreveport, Louisiana 71105 |
| Blue Cliff College | 1505 Metro Dr, Alexandria, LA 71301 |
| Rock Bridge Training Institute | 200 N Thomas Dr #14, Shreveport, LA 71107 |
| Unitech Training Academy - Baton Rouge | 10551 Coursey Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70816 |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Assistant
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