2013 Midwest U.S. dental assisting salary survey

2013 Midwest U.S. dental assisting salary survey

(Statistics are for Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota)

(National averages or percentages are in the parentheses to allow for comparison)

Most common hourly rates: $15, $18, $20 ($18)
% who earn $30 or more an hour: 4% (6%)
% who last received a raise more than a year ago: 46% (56%)
% who believe raises occur at fair intervals: 53% (41%)
% who would recommend dental assisting as a profession: 71% (73%)
% who envision continued employment as a dental assistant three years from now: 67% (71%)

Selected comments from Midwest U.S.:

Kansas

13-year dental assistant; no raise since 2007.
I truly wish practices see and appreciate what we really do. Without dental assistants, dentists would not be living in luxury.
After 40 years in dental assisting, I wish the salary was different. But I have come to realize that until we are licensed or credentialed, the doctor will still not value our place in the team and the value we bring to his practices.
Fifteen years ago, I started with my CDA at $10 an hour. Raises ceased in 2007 and haven't had one since.
Kansas needs to come up with more schools and clinics to teach assisting. I'm a CDA and would like to expand my duties; yet, there is nowhere to go within a 5-hour radius to get more education in my field.

Iowa

We are underpaid based on the responsibilities we handle and the education & continuing education required to maintain our credentials
I have worked as a CDA & CDPM for 35 years and have always felt that the pay was very fair, and raises and promotions were given as you proved yourself as an exceptional employee and team member!
I believe DA should be paid more. Only reason I wouldn't advise dental assisting is I wouldn’t be able to live on my own and support a family
I would like to see the dental community look at assistants as one of the best assets of their practice and treat accordingly: respect, pay, and benefits. Lack of turnover says a lot for a practice. All it takes is a thank-you every now and then!
Our state seems to always be in need of dental assistants.

Missouri

I have found that pay rates vary immensely from one office to another. Either the dentist sees the value in what you do, or he doesn't and pays you like it's just another job.
I think that dental assistants need to be certified and not trained on the job. You would see the income levels improve.
I have 30-plus years as an assistant. I'm an EFDA currently working towards my CDA and my ADAA Fellowship. I feel that we should be compensated for our knowledge, not just what the assistants in the area are making.
I work for a very fair doctor. I know some dentists do not pay their team what they are worth.
As more practices are forced into accepting low-pay PPO plans, assistants and hygienists better be preparing for a reduction in compensation. Dentists cannot pay higher salaries when the income is drastically reduced. The days of assuming raises are coming your way because you have more experience are over.

Nebraska

I think an assistant should be compensated for level of knowledge and work ethic and what she/ he brings to the office. I work very hard at chairside and lab work, but also very hard at finding the best supply deals. I've saved my dentist thousands on supply bills, and it would be nice to be recognized or treated for it.
People getting out of school in our state have very diverse income levels.
We will continue to lose good dental assistants that move into other professions based on salary and benefits until all the states have education and testing requirements before practicing as a dental assistant.
I'm hoping Nebraska goes through with certifying assistants because I worked very hard for a 4.0 in school, passed the DANB boards and feel I should be rightfully recognized for it and allow me to do the things I'm capable of doing and have been properly shown through an accredited dental assisting school.
In the state that I live in, there are currently no requirements except to take radiographs and to coronal polish. Therefore the salary is varied.

Oklahoma

There needs to be a national standard for a basic level of education in dental assisting. At minimum a HS diploma or GED, infection control training with mandatory certification.
Unless DA's are required to have specific educational requirements, our pay levels will always remain low.
I think that we should be appreciated more and know that the work we do is important and it has a major impact on dentistry.
The cost of school to become a dental assistant is far, far greater than how much you can make. I would not recommend dental assisting unless you have your school paid for.
DAs are the glue of the practice. I see a great future for us and a continual need to expand our duties. I wish we were recognized more.
Dental assistant schools should be ashamed for the amount they charge these young girls for the experience they receive; on the job training is better and cost effective! No student loans when you're done

South Dakota

Hourly wages not bad, but very little benefits
Standards should stay high; we have great education and provide professional help to our community
I am dental hygienist as well and practice more hygiene than assisting. But I think the administration of local anesthesia by dental assistants would be beneficial to the practice. Assisting is fun, wonderful career!

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