Becoming a Dental Assistant in Fresno, California

In the Central Valley of California, Fresno is located along the San Joaquin River (north of Bakersfield and south of Stockton) and surrounded by the nation’s top-producing fruit and nut crops. Besides agriculture, dental assisting in Fresno can be an excellent career option for residents to pursue. With California’s dental assistant employment rates expected to increase by 16 percent by 2026, dental practices will be demanding more of these essential dental team members.

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Dental assistants perform clerical and dental tasks within dentistry practices in order to keep things running smoothly. These professionals may communicate between patients and doctors, schedule appointments or assist dentists during procedures.

Fresno Schools for Dental Assistants

Those who pursue training at an accredited dental assisting program are eligible to take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam right away. Non-accredited programs are also excellent options to prepare students for a career in dental assisting. Those who do not complete training or who graduate from an unaccredited program can use two years’ work experience as a credential to take the CDA exam.

San Joaquin Valley College. This private junior college has campuses spanning the Central Valley, surrounding Fresno. Its Dental Assisting Certificate can be earned in 11 months and enables the graduate to take the Dental Board of California Examination for State Licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).
Kingsburg School of Dental Assisting. Located just 20 miles south of Fresno, this dental assisting school offers a full range of certifications for dental assistants, such as X-ray, tooth-cleaning and infection credentials. This school’s certifications are approved by the Dental Board of California.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

The career outlook for dental assistants in Fresno is promising. The city had 1,270 dental assistants employed in 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The mean income for Fresno dental assistants that year was $16.23 per hour, which is strong compared to California’s minimum wage of $11.00 per hour. View more statewide information on dental assistants in California here.

Working and Living as a Dental Assistant in Fresno

With lots of unique parks and places like the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno offers a wealth of activities to dental assistants when they are off duty. Furthermore, the Fresno-Yosemite airport is close at hand, making travel easy for residents of the area. With a variety of training and employment options available, it’s never been a better time to become a dental assistant in the Fresno area.