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Becoming a Dental Assistant in Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland’s medical and dental fields are expanding in recent years, creating a larger demand for dental assistants along the Cuyahoga River. There’s no better place to begin your dental career than in Cleveland—home of the Cleveland Indians, rich multicultural diversity and historic treasures.

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Those who have excellent communication skills, like to work with their hands and want to work in a growing field should consider the career of dental assisting. Dental assistants offer support in dental offices through a combination of administrative and dental tasks. From scheduling patient appointments to taking x-rays, dental assistants perform a variety of supportive tasks under the instruction of dentists and hygienists.

Cleveland Schools for Dental Assistants

The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that dental assistants enroll in a training program to learn important on-the-job skills.

  • Tri-C Dental Hygiene Program. Within Cuyahoga Community College, this dental assistant program offers an associate degree in dental hygiene. Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), this school’s program enables students to take the CDA exam upon graduation.
Dr. Kate’s VIP Dental Assisting School review
Dr. Kate’s VIP Dental Assisting School
  • Dr. Kate’s VIP Dental Assisting School. Located in central Cleveland, this school does not hold national accreditation but offers a well-respected dental assistant certificate covering key skills needed to secure an entry-level job. Graduates of this 11-week program become eligible for the CDA exam after gaining two years of work experience.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

In 2017, Cleveland employed 1,680 dental assistants, and that number is surely on the rise with the rest of Ohio. You can learn more about dental assisting in the general state of Ohio here. The mean hourly income rate for dental assistants in Cleveland was $17.40—a livable wage in a city with a relatively low cost of living.

Working as a Dental Assistant in Cleveland

Dental assistants can find great career options while enjoying the rest of Cleveland. With many schools to choose from and beautiful Lake Eerie nearby, it’s easy to balance a dental assisting career and a personal life. Because dental assistants typically work traditional 40-hour weeks during the day, they can spend their evenings walking downtown in Cleveland.