How to Become a Dental Assistant in St. Petersburg, Florida
To provide quality oral healthcare, dentists rely on the help of dental assistants. If you pursue a career as a dental assistant in St. Petersburg, Florida, you’ll perform important tasks under the direction of a dentist. Your duties may include record-keeping, scheduling appointments, taking x-rays and assisting the dentist during procedures.
St. Petersburg, Florida, sometimes affectionately called St. Pete, is known for great weather and a low cost of living. Located on the Gulf Coast, it routinely ranks among the top places to live and work in the United States. As the city grows and thrives, so do the number of dental practices that need dental assistants.
Dental Assistant Schools in St. Petersburg
Becoming a dental assistant has different requirements from one state to another. For more information on the requirements to become a dental assistant in Florida, check out the Dental Assisting National Board.
While you can learn to become a dental assistant in St. Petersburg through on-the-job training under the supervision of a practicing dentist, formal training allows you to perform expanded functions. Schools in St. Petersburg that offer dental assistant training include:
- Academy for Dental Assistants. The Academy offers a 12-week program that can be completed by attending classes one day a week. Classes are available weekdays, evenings and Saturdays.
- Pinellas Technical College. This school offers a 13-month dental assistant program that includes training in office and clinical procedures, oral preventive care, lab skills and more. Credits can be applied toward an associate’s degree in dental hygiene.
Salary and Job Outlook for Dental Assistants in St. Petersburg
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that as of 2017, dental assistants in St. Petersburg were making an average of $18.86 per hour and $39,230 per year. Dental assistants in this city who were the highest paid earned an average of $54,350 annually the same year.
There were 18,270 dental assistants working in the state of Florida in 2016, with 2,670 working in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area, according to Career One Stop. Growth of jobs in this industry is expected to be much faster than average in the coming years, with expected growth of 23 percent to 22,470 by the year 2026.
Being Employed as a Dental Assistant in St. Petersburg
Dental and orthodontic clinics and offices in St. Petersburg have plenty of job opportunities for dental assistants. St. Petersburg is the third largest city in Florida and as it continues to grow and attract new residents, there will be many more job prospects. If you’re interested in a career in healthcare in which your skills will always be in high demand, consider becoming a dental assistant in St. Petersburg.
Related:
- Dental Assistant Schools in Miami
- Dental Assistant Schools in Tampa
- Dental Assistant Schools in Orlando
- Dental Assistant Schools in Jacksonville