How to Become a Dental Assistant in Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha, the largest city in Nebraska, is a vibrant metropolitan Midwest hub. For those who live in the state, a job as a dental assistant in Omaha is a solid choice, as Nebraska is expected to experience an increasing demand for trained professionals.

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Dental assistants typically work under the direct supervision of dentists and will work alongside hygienists. Typical duties of a dental assistant may include welcoming patients, preparing for and assisting during exams, offering instructions to patients and maintaining dental equipment.

Dental Assistant Schools in Omaha

Since certification is required to become a dental assistant in most states, it’s important that people looking into educational programs understand which institutions are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation before enrolling in a program.

In order to qualify for the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) test, a student must either have two years of practical experience along with their education or have graduated from an accredited school.

Here are a couple of options for dental assistant training in Omaha:

Heartland Dental Assisting School offers on-the-job, practical training, which gives students the required experience to sit for the DANB exam and become certified. Students work in state-of-the-art facilities alongside doctors in small classes and one-on-one settings.

Metropolitan Community College (MCC) offers a dental assistant program that is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation via the South Omaha Campus. MCC offers an affordable, one-year program that has agreements with Creighton Dental Clinic.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

As of 2016, about 2,200 people work as dental assistants in the state of Nebraska. This number is expected to increase by 15.8 percent to 2,550 in 2026.

As of 2017, there were about 1,020 people working as dental assistants in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area. On average, dental assistants here make $16.64 per hour and $34,620 per year.

The job outlook for dental assistants in the city of Omaha is promising, with about 290 openings expected on average per year.

Working as a Dental Assistant in Omaha

As with many states, dental employers in Nebraska, including those in the Omaha area, do not always require certification, but it’s a good idea to pursue a path that leads to certification so that you can be more competitive in the job market. The great news is that, since this a national-level certification, professionals have the qualifications to take their skills with them to any part of the state or country. In this, dental assisting is a good bet for ongoing work, no matter where in the U.S. you may live.