How to Become a Dental Assistant in Atlanta, Georgia
A dental assistant helps dentists in providing dental care to patients. Dental assistants prepare the treatment room and instruments, prepare the patient for treatment, perform X-rays, chart records and assist the dentist with procedures. If this sounds like a career you would be interested in, consider becoming a dental assistant in Atlanta, Georgia.
Atlanta is home to many historical landmarks and tourist attractions such as the Georgia State Capitol, the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca Cola Museum, making it an appealing place to live and work. You can read more about the state-specific requirements for becoming a dental assistant in Georgia here.
Atlanta Schools for Dental Assistants
To work as a dental assistant, you’ll need training. Atlanta has several dental assistant schools to choose from. Here are a couple of options:
- The Atlanta Dental Assistant School (Buckhead campus) has a 12-week program that teaches hands-on courses in a dental office, so students get a feel of what their working environment will be like. Tuition can be paid in full or in installments over the duration of the course. Students will complete an externship before they graduate. The Buckhead campus is approximately three miles from Buckhead Station. It is also less than an hour’s drive from Sun Trust Park (home of the Atlanta Braves), Mercedes Benz Stadium (home of the Atlanta Falcons), the Georgia Aquarium, Fox Theatre, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Jimmy Carter Library and the Georgia Capitol Building.
- Georgia School of Dental Staffing, located in Marietta, has a 10-week program that consists of clinical training during the week and lectures on Saturdays. Payment plan options are available for tuition. This school is in walking distance of the Atlanta Swim Academy and less than a five minutes’ drive from Marietta Ice Center.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations
The city of Atlanta expects to see a 14.2% percent increase in the number of dental assistants working there in the 10-year period between 2018 and 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dental assistants in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell region make an annual mean average of $38,570, which is higher than the Georgia state average of $36,980. The highest earners in the same region make as much as $50,960 annually.
Working as a Dental Assistant in Atlanta
If you are interested in becoming a dental assistant in Atlanta, it would be a great career choice. There are several schools nearby with programs that can be completed in three months or less. This profession pays well in this area of the state. Furthermore, there are plenty of entertainment options an hour or less away to keep you occupied in your free time.