How to Become a Dental Assistant in Albuquerque

The historic and vibrant city of Albuquerque, which sits in the center of New Mexico, is home to a population of over 500,000. Though the population itself isn’t expected to grow significantly, there are a large number of older and retired residents, which means that the overall demand for medical and dental professionals will also see steady growth.

Dental assistants in New Mexico work under the direct supervision of dentists and hygienists, preparing and sanitizing equipment, and keeping patient records.

Dental Assistant Schools in Albuquerque

Though certification isn’t technically required, most employers in Albuquerque prefer to hire dental professionals who are certified by the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board).

For those seeking dental assistant schools in Albuquerque, here are a few options:

• The New Mexico Institute of Dental Assisting offers a 13-week, hands-on vocational program.
  Classes are offered in the evenings classes are both affordable and accessible, taught by seasoned industry professionals. Job placement rates are high directly after graduation. The school has been approved by the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
• The American Institute of Dental Assisting offers a 13-week course in dental assisting. The course includes hands-on training, preparation for the National X-Ray Certification, small class sizes, a flexible class schedule, and job placement assistance.
• The Matrix School of Dental Assisting offers a quick and easy route to becoming a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), including X-ray certification exam prep.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

In the state of New Mexico there were 2540 people working as dental assistants in 2016. This number is expected to increase to about 2890 by the year 2026, a 13.4 percent change. There are 330 job openings per year across the state, with the majority of these being in urban centers.

In the metropolitan region of Albuquerque, there were around 1400 people working as dental assistants in 2017, making an average salary of $16.39 an hour and $34, 090 a year.

Working as a Dental Assistant in Albuquerque

The majority of dental assistants in Albuquerque work in full-time roles, but there is a possibility of finding part-time positions as well. Working conditions and duties will vary depending on environment, but most of the time a standard work day can be expected.

Careers in dental assisting are a good bet for those who want a flexible career and steady works which they can take to any state. If you are interested in a career in health, technology, and you want to help people, working as a dental assistant in Albuquerque could be an excellent option.