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How to Become a Dental Assistant in Phoenix, Arizona

Known as the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix is the capital and largest city in Arizona. It sits in a bowl-shaped valley surrounded by mountains and is part of the Sonoran Desert. Phoenix is known for its dry heat, sunny days and spectacular natural areas perfect for hiking.

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With nearly five million people in the metropolitan area, Phoenix is a great place to begin a career as a dental assistant. These are the professionals who work with dental patients, assist dentists during exams and procedures, process X-rays and help with administrative office tasks. Check out the Arizona requirements for becoming a dental assistant before planning your career in Phoenix.

Dental Assistant Schools in Phoenix

The Phoenix area is home to a couple of schools offering degrees or diplomas in dental assisting. One local program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), with a central Phoenix campus.

  • Phoenix College. The dental assisting program here is located at the Healthcare Center in the heart of the Encanto Village neighborhood. This area includes the state fairgrounds, Encanto Park, Park Central Mall and the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. It’s not far from downtown Phoenix. Phoenix College offers an associate degree program in dental assisting that can be completed on a full- or part-time basis to give students flexibility.
  • Brookline College. Brookline’s diploma program in dental assisting is offered on two campuses. One is in North Central Phoenix, not far from several shopping centers and a large sports complex. The other campus is in Tempe, a Phoenix suburb that is home to Arizona State University, and near the Tempe Town Lake, a recreation facility. Although not CODA-accredited, Brookline’s program does prepare students to pass exams for state and national certification.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

Growth in careers for dental assistants throughout Arizona is very strong, at 32.2 percent. The Phoenix-MesaScottsdale metropolitan area currently is home to nearly 5,000 employed dental assistants. The average salary for these professionals in the area is $19.64 per hour and $40,840 per year.

Working as a Dental Assistant in Phoenix

The Phoenix metropolitan area is one of the largest population centers in the U.S., which means there are plenty of job opportunities for qualified professionals. As a certified dental assistant, it should be easy to find a job in the city or suburbs and to enjoy a life in the sunny center of Arizona.

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