If you’re thinking about starting a rewarding career as a dental assistant, you have to consider dental assistant salaries in Texas. Here’s what you need to know about working as a dental assistant in the great state of Texas:
Introduction
The state of Texas has a population of more than 27 million people. If you are living in the Lone Star State, it’s likely that you have seen a registered dental assistant (RDA) at work. RDAs work in dental offices, assisting dentists with routine procedures like filling cavities and administering oral hygiene treatments. If you’re interested in starting a career as an RDA, this guide will help you understand what the job entails and where to get started with your education and training.
It’s a good time to study for a career as a registered dental assistant in Texas.
The state has a thriving dental industry, which means there are many jobs available in Texas. In fact, registered dental assistant positions make up 12% of all open jobs in the state and have an average annual salary of $49,000. If you’re looking to get into this field and live in Texas, now is the perfect time: there’s plenty of work to be found and your salary will be higher than the national average!
Texas has a high cost of living compared with other states—so if you’re thinking about moving here for work reasons (or any other reason), keep this in mind as you prepare for your new life.
Dental hygienists’ median wage is higher than that of the average registered dental assistant in Texas.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that dental hygienists earned a median wage of $66,640 in May 2017. This was significantly higher than the average registered dental assistant’s median wage, which was $55,240 during the same time period.
It’s important to note that these figures are based on salaries for all dental hygienists and not just those who work in Texas specifically. However, they do give us an idea of how much you can expect to earn as a general dentist assistant if you decide to pursue this career path in any state across America
The highest-paid registered dental assistant in Texas can make more than twice the salary of the lowest-paid RDA.
The highest-paid RDA in Texas can make more than twice the salary of the lowest-paid RDA. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area has an average annual salary for registered dental assistants of just over $64,000, while Beaumont-Port Arthur has an average annual salary of less than half that amount at $29,000 per year.
Austin also stands out as a hotbed for high salaries; its RDAs earn an average annual rate of $50,000 per year—almost three times what their counterparts earn in Houston ($19,000).
Why is there so much variation in pay among RDAs?
Of course, there is a difference in pay among RDAs. Some may be paid more than others. The difference can be due to experience and education.
The more experienced an RDA is, the more they are likely to make per hour of work. For example, if two RDAs were hired around the same time but one had worked longer as an RDA, then he or she would earn more money per hour than someone who had only just started working as an RDA.
Another factor that affects salary is education level: RDAs with higher levels of education tend to earn more than those with lower levels of education because they’re able to perform tasks that require more complex skillset (such as performing root canal).
What are the requirements to become an RDA in Texas?
Be at least 18 years old.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Complete an accredited RDA program. This means that you’ll need to enroll in a RDA program and complete the necessary coursework and clinical training required by the state of Texas before taking the National Board Dental Assisting Examination.
Pass the National Board Dental Assisting Examination, which tests your knowledge of dental assisting concepts such as anatomy, instrumentation, oral pathology, preventive dentistry, pharmacology and radiography. This exam is offered twice annually (January and July) at testing centers across Texas for about $300 per sitting. You can register online up to two weeks in advance of each test date; after this deadline has passed, you must contact Pearson VUE directly for more information regarding registration fees and procedures for taking your exam onsite at one of their testing centers in Texas
How do I prepare for a career as an RDA?
You’ll need to prepare for your career by taking a dental assisting course and getting some work experience. You can do this by volunteering at a local dentist’s office or working as an assistant in another field, such as medicine or cosmetology, which will give you experience with all the equipment used on patients.
Dental assisting is easily learned through hands-on training that teaches you how to use each piece of equipment and its importance in patient care. In addition to studying the course material, take notes during lectures so that you can refer back to them later when studying alone.
You’ll also want to get certified so employers know that they’re hiring someone who has been trained and tested on their knowledge base of dentistry and dental procedures. There are two certifications: Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) from the American Dental Association (ADA), or Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Both require continuing education credits for annual renewal every year following their initial certification date; however, only RDA certification shows specialization in certain areas such as endodontics (root canal therapy), orthodontics (braces), pedodontics (children’s dentistry) etc., whereas CDA does not show any specializations listed on its website aside from general dental assisting duties performed throughout various departments within hospitals/clinics across America.”
Where can I work as an RDA?
You can work as an RDA in a variety of settings, including:
- Dentist offices and dental clinics
- Dental schools
- Public health clinics that offer free or reduced-cost dental care
- Hospitals, including children’s hospitals and VA hospitals
- Private practices, both general dentistry and specialist practices (e.g., orthodontics) * Academic institutions (e.g., universities with medical schools) * Veterinary offices * Military dental facilities (on bases) * Medical offices that provide dental care access by appointment only (e.g., urgent care centers)
A career as an RDA can be a great way to get started making money while working in healthcare.
A career as an RDA can be a great way to get started making money while working in healthcare. But before you apply, it’s important to know what the job entails and what salary you can expect to make.
Let’s start by defining some of the key terms:
- Registered Dental Assistant (RDA): This job title refers to dental assistants who have completed at least two years of training and passed an exam administered by the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. After completing this training and passing their exams, RDAs are licensed clinicians who work in health care centers like hospitals or private offices.
- Dental Hygienist: A hygienist is basically a dental assistant trained specifically to provide preventive care for patients with problems like gum disease that aren’t severe enough for full-on treatment from dentists. They’re typically responsible for providing cleanings as well as educating patients on how they can improve their oral health at home through proper brushing techniques and flossing practices, etcetera…
- Registered dental assistants in Texas earn a median salary of $39,390 per year. The highest-paid 10 percent of registered dental assistants in Texas earn over $53,870 per year, while the lowest-paid 10 percent make less than $28,760. The median wage for all occupations in the state was $33,860 per year .
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a job in healthcare, a career as an RDA is a great way to get started making money while working in the field. You can earn good pay and work toward your future goals at the same time. Plus, there are many different types of jobs available at different levels of experience (or if you have no experience at all). It’s never too late to start learning about this career path—and if you have any questions about becoming an RDAs? Contact us today!
