Although becoming a dentist can take many years of study, there are a couple options available for those who'd like a career in the dental field that doesn't have such a long training period. These include dental assisting and becoming a dental hygienist.

Typical Job Duties

Dental assisting involves tasks such as maintaining office records, scheduling appointments, patient education, sterilizing equipment, handing equipment to the dentist during procedures, doing fluoride treatments, handling accounts payable and, in some cases, taking patient x-rays. Some states require special training and certification before taking x-rays. A dental hygienist performs more of the tasks that used to be performed by dentists, including cleaning and examining teeth, removing plaque and tartar buildup, making molds of patients' teeth, taking patient histories, removing stitches and administering local anesthetics as well as some of the tasks performed by dental assistants.

Required Training

You can become a dental assistant quickly, as accredited training programs usually take just one to two years, after which you'll need to take the Certified Dental Assistant exam if you want to become certified. People who are certified tend to have more job opportunities than those who aren't. Some dentists will hire dental assistants that don't have any formal training and let them learn on the job, but this is becoming less common as their typical job duties increase. Because a dental hygienist has more responsibilities, the training program can be longer. It's possible to start this career with an associate degree, but a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene may open up more doors. Most states require dental hygienists to pass both written and oral exams before they begin their career.

Salary Expectations

The salary for either of these positions will vary based on experience, location and the type of office where a person works. As of 2017, the average salary for a dental assistant was $35,205 per year, while that for a dental hygienist was $69,611. 

Predicted Growth

Dental assisting can be a good way to quickly get your start in the field as well as a stepping stone to becoming a dental hygienist. However, becoming a dental hygienist won't decrease the amount of time it takes to study to become a dentist, so it isn't a shortcut to this career. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an 18 percent increase in dental assisting jobs between 2014 and 2024 and a 19 percent increase in dental hygienist jobs. This is a much faster growth than the average for all jobs, so there's a good chance of finding a position once you finish your training.

For more information, contact a place like the New Mexico Institute of Dental Assisting.