Becoming a Dental Assistant in Riverside, California

Residents of the City of Riverside live in a picturesque location surrounded by the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. Dental assistants in Riverside live in the 59^th largest city in the country and the 12^th largest city in California.

Located about 55 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, Riverside has a diverse population. It is known as the birthplace of the California citrus industry. The Mission Inn Museum is an important local attraction. It is the largest mission revival-style building in the country. Another popular attraction is the California Citrus State Historic Park.

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Dental Assistant Schools in Riverside

While dental assistants in California may train on the job, to become a registered dental assistant (RDA) you will have to pass the certification exams. Many dental assistants find that completing a technical training course greatly assists them in developing their skills and helps prepare them for the examination.

Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE). This not-for-profit school is run by the county and has several locations across the region. Their dental assistant program is accredited and offers financial assistance to local residents. The 34-week program is aimed at getting you ready to sit for your RDA certification examinations.
Upon completion of the program, you will have obtained the necessary certificates needed to sit for the RDA exam. The full-time course is offered at the main campus in Indio and at their satellite location on East Alessandro Blvd. in Riverside.
Intercoast College. Intercoast has a convenient location just east of downtown Riverside on Atlanta Avenue. Their 30-week program gives students the skills to start as an entry-level dental assistant. The course offers a mixture of lectures and practical exercises that culminate in a 160-hour externship. Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for their RDA certification. Job-placement help is also offered by the college.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were 4,830 dental assistant in the City of Riverside in 2017. The field is expected to grow another 16.5 percent by 2026.

Typically, dental assistants in Riverside will start at an average $16.61 per hour and bring home $34,550 annually. This is higher than in Riverside County as a whole, which had an average per capita income of $25,500 from 2013 to 2017.

Working as a Dental Assistant in Riverside

Dental assistants in Riverside enjoy the natural beauty and temperate climate California is famous for, and get the benefits from its unique location.

An easy drive from the desert, mountains and coastal cities, Riverside is also one of the most rapidly growing regions of the country. In 2017, Riverside County was ranked third in the country in terms of population growth.

Like all healthcare workers, Dental assistants should see a high demand for their services for many years to come.