Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Dental assistants perform various technical duties in support of dentists. They work in dentists' offices and educational institutions, or they may be employed by government.

Nature of Work

Dental assistants perform various technical duties in support of dentists. They work in dentists' offices and educational institutions, or they may be employed by government.

Duties

Dental assistants assist dentists during the examination and treatment of patients. They also perform clerical functions, such as scheduling patient appointments, recording information on patient care, and invoicing patients for dental services. Other duties in this field include preparing filling materials, advising patients on oral hygiene, and ordering dental and office supplies.

Most dental assistants are also responsible for preparing patients for dental examination, assisting dentists during examinations, and sterilizing and maintaining instruments. They may also perform such intra-oral duties as taking and developing x-rays, polishing and cleaning teeth, and applying fluoride treatment.

Example Titles

• registered dental assistant
• certified dental assistant
• dental assistant
• certified intra-oral dental assistant

Training Paths

SIAST offers a Dental Assistant certificate program and a Dental Assisting Relicensure course. A Dental Assistant program is also available through private vocational schools.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: good

The number of dental assistants in Saskatchewan has increased steadily over the last decade, making this a fairly large occupation in the province. According to Statistics Canada, there were nearly 1,000 dental assistants in Saskatchewan in 2005. Even if this employment growth slows, job seekers can expect some opportunities in the next few years due to retirement or other turnover in the provincial work force. Nearly 25% of all dental assistants were over the age of 45 in 2006, so not many of these openings will arise due to retirement. Most openings will result from assistants changing jobs, perhaps with a goal of earning higher income.

Dental assistants not very well paid in Saskatchewan. In 2005, the average full-time income in this occupational group was $33,400, a 15% increase from 2000 but well below the full-time provincial average for all occupations in 2005 ($42,300 per year). The range of incomes in this fields is quite narrow. The highest paid dental therapist in the province earned $43,500 in 2005; the lowest paid earned $21,170. Incomes in these fields of work are typically higher in and around Regina and Saskatoon than elsewhere in the province.

Fifty per cent of all dental assistants in Saskatchewan worked full time in 2005 an from 2000. This field of work was composed almost entirely of females in 2006. Self-employment, while not unheard of, is rare in these fields, and employment is neither seasonal nor very sensitive to overall economic conditions. Employment for this field of work is distributed fairly evenly throughout Saskatchewan. More than 55% of the dental assistants worked in or around Regina and Saskatoon in 2006.

Due to rapid changes in diagnostic and treatment technology, dental assistants must continually upgrade their job skills. Those who stay abreast of new technologies may have an advantage over others seeking employment in these fields. Despite the increased need for dental care due to Saskatchewan's aging population, employment numbers for dental assistants will continue to drop in the years ahead.

Professional Associations

Related Occupations

• Dental Therapists and Dental Hygienists (3222)
• Dental Technicians (3223)