Dental Assistant Jobs in West Des Moines, IA

A Dental Assistant plays a crucial role in the dental industry by assisting dentists during patient procedures, providing patient care and comfort, preparing dental instruments, sterilizing instruments, and performing office management tasks. They also perform laboratory duties such as making dental casts and taking digital x-rays. Their role is vital to the smooth operation of dental clinics and hospitals, ensuring patients receive the highest standard of care and support. Dental Assistants should have excellent communication skills, strong attention to detail, adept manual dexterity, and high levels of patience and empathy.

Dental Assistants must have proper certifications, often requiring the completion of an accredited dental assistant program resulting in a certificate or diploma. Some states may require dental assistants to be licensed or registered, involving passing a written or practical exam. Before becoming a Dental Assistant, a person may start their career as a Dental Office Receptionist handling scheduling and billing. Others may begin as a Dental Hygienist, focusing on preventative dental care, or as a Medical Assistant, gaining foundational healthcare skills that can be applied in a dental setting.

1-5 of 5 Jobs

Dental Assistant - Engebretsen Clinic

  • Des Moines, IA (12 miles from West Des Moines, IA)
  • 4 days ago
  • Des Moines, IA (12 miles from West Des Moines, IA)
  • 4 days ago

Licenses & Certifications: Current dental assistant certification through the Dental Assistant National Board, Inc. We Take Care of Our People Your experience and skills determine your base pay....

Dental Assistant (FT) NEW

  • Des Moines, IA (12 miles from West Des Moines, IA)
  • 8 days ago
  • Des Moines, IA (12 miles from West Des Moines, IA)
  • 8 days ago

assistant registration Benefits (FT/PT) Retirement - IPERS Education Assistance Employee Health & Wellness PTO Free Parking Health Insurance Supplemental Insurance 529 College Savings Plan And more...

Dental Assistant - Expanded Functions

  • West Des Moines, IA
  • 12 days ago
  • West Des Moines, IA
  • 12 days ago

Current CPR or BLS certificate. 2+ years' experience as a Dental Assistant. Proficient at chairside assisting/four-handed dentistry....

Dental Assistant

  • Des Moines, IA (12 miles from West Des Moines, IA)
  • 45+ days ago
  • Des Moines, IA (12 miles from West Des Moines, IA)
  • 45+ days ago

When you join our team as a Dental Assistant, you will have the opportunity to give back to communities and positively affect patients lives....

Dental Assistant

  • Indianola, IA (15 miles from West Des Moines, IA)
  • 60+ days ago
  • Indianola, IA (15 miles from West Des Moines, IA)
  • 60+ days ago

Req ID: 100873 Supported Practice: Dental Professionals Category: Dental Assistant Location: 200 N B Street, Indianola, IA 50125 Years of Experience: 1 year Sign on Bonus: $3,000.00 This is where patients...

Demographic Data for West Des Moines, IA

Moving to West Des Moines, IA? Find some basic demographic data about West Des Moines, IA below.


Local
National
3,191,035
82,356

Dental Assistant Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireDental curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Dental Assistant Fundamentals
A dental assistant is a member of a dental team who contributes immensely to the team delivering dental treatment and services. During dental operations, the dental assistant aids dentists or...
15 Dental Procedures Instruments' Guideline Dental Assistant
In this tutorial, you will build a strong foundation in 15 different dental procedures and dental instruments related to each procedure. This tutorial is a great tool for beginners and for future...

Title Synonyms

Users interested in this job title also searched for the following job titles


Salary for Dental Assistant Jobs in West Des Moines, IA

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireDental research efforts.


Highest Education Level

Dental Assistants in West Des Moines, IA offer the following education background
Vocational Degree or Certification
29.2%
High School or GED
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree
18.9%
Associate's Degree
16.4%
Doctorate Degree
4.6%
Some College
3.0%
Master's Degree
2.6%
Some High School
1.1%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Dental Assistants in West Des Moines, IA
Less than 1 year
48.4%
1-2 years
27.4%
None
13.1%
10+ years
11.2%



Dental Assistant Related Career Advice Articles

Interior view of an exam room at a modern dental office
Dental Assistants vs. Dental Hygienists - What's the Difference?

A comprehensive comparison of the education, credentials, job duties, and salary between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist.

Read article »
Dentist speaking with patient
Quick Guide to Advanced DANB Certifications

Learn more about the exams, prerequisites, and other requirements needed to earn advanced DANB credentials such as the COA, CPFDA, and CRFDA designations.

Read article »
Dental hygienist at work
How to Become a Dental Hygienist in 4 Steps

Interested in a dental hygienist career? Learn how to get started in this rewarding field.

Read article »