Dental Assistant
Kaiāwhina Mahi Niho
This job is sometimes referred to by alternative titles
Dental assistants help dentists with patient care and running dental practices.
Pay
New dental assistants usually earn
$16-$19 per hour
Experienced dental assistants usually earn
$19-$26 per hour
Job opportunities
Vocational pathwaysPay
Pay for dental assistants varies depending on experience.
- New dental assistants usually earn between $16 and $19 an hour.
- Dental assistants with two to three years' experience can earn up to $22.
- Senior dental assistants with five years' experience or more can earn up to $26.
- PAYE.net.nz website - use this calculator to convert pay and salary information
- Employment New Zealand website - information about minimum wage rates
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the figures and diagrams in our job information)
What you will do
Dental assistants may do some or all of the following:
- greet and prepare patients for treatment
- mix materials for fillings
- clean and prepare instruments
- pass instruments and materials to the dentist as required
- develop x-rays
- make moulds of patients' teeth
- complete infection prevention and control processes and procedures
- follow up with patients where required
- perform reception and clerical duties such as ordering dental and office supplies.
Skills and knowledge
Dental assistants need to have knowledge of:
- basic dentistry and hygiene
- dental practices, so they can anticipate the needs of the dentist
- dental materials and vocabulary
- how to use and care for dental equipment, including sterilisation procedures
- dental surgery procedures, including the use of sedatives and anaesthetics.
Working conditions
Dental assistants:
- work regular business hours and may be required to work late nights and weekends
- work in clean, well-lit surroundings in dental surgeries, hospitals, private dental practices and community health centres.
What's the job really like?
Stacey Reuben
Dental Assistant
"Handing instruments to the dentist is the impression most people have of dental assistants," says Stacey Reuben.
"But it's actually very full-on. I work closely with the dentist so I have to be familiar with the way they work."
A high level of responsibility involved
There is a lot of responsibility in the work, says Stacey. "From noting down teeth that need fillings, extractions or root canals, to booking appointments and setting up and sterilising instruments." And you also have to be ready for the unexpected.
"One minute I could be doing a filling and the next minute the dentist discovers it's too deep and I end up being involved in a root canal."
Taking up an opportunity
After agreeing to help out temporarily at the community centre dental clinic, Stacey ended up staying a lot longer.
"It was for two weeks, but that snowballed into a year and a half. There is always something to learn and that’s what’s kept me interested in the work. Now I have my mind set on being a dental hygienist."
A job that brings its own rewards
Stacey says she really likes seeing the difference dental work makes, especially for people with rotten, broken or dirty teeth. “Knowing that patients feel as well as look better after treatment is very satisfying.
"It’'s also satisfying knowing that without my help the dentist couldn't do their job."
Check out what it's like to be a dental assistant in the New Zealand Army - 0.50 mins. (Video courtesy of the New Zealand Army)
We have to make sure everything is ready to go for the dentist. And then if they’re doing fillings we’ll mix up composites or amalgams we use for filling materials, clean up, make sure the patient is alright, then pack down and sterilise and set up for the next patient.
The cool thing about being a DA [dental assistant] is we get to go onto further study maybe as a hygienist, or dental technician or dental manager.
We’re a tri-service call so we look after Air Force, Navy and Army, so it’s quite good – we get to go all over the country.
Entry requirements
Becoming a dental assistant
There are no specific entry requirements to become a dental assistant, as you gain skills on the job.
However, many employers prefer you to have completed the New Zealand Dental Association Certificate in Dental Assisting, or may take you on as a trainee while you complete the certificate.
The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.
Secondary education
There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a dental assistant. However, health, biology, chemistry, physics and English to at least NCEA Level 2 are useful.
Additional requirements for specialist roles:
Becoming an orthodontic auxiliary
Dental assistants may progress to become orthodontic auxiliaries, and assist orthodontists with patient care. To become an orthodontic auxiliary you need to complete approved training and meet other requirements set out by the Dental Council of New Zealand. An Annual Practising Certificate and registration with the Dental Council of New Zealand is also required.
Personal requirements
Dental assistants need to be:
- friendly, polite and caring
- good at listening to others
- good with people and able to communicate effectively
- quick and efficient
- able to work well under pressure
- able to remain calm in emergencies
- organised and able to follow instructions
- able to perform basic computer tasks.
Useful experience
Useful experience for dental assistants includes:
- hospital work
- reception work
- any other work involving contact with people.
Physical requirements
Dental assistants need to be reasonably fit and healthy, with good posture.
Registration
Orthodontic auxiliaries must be registered with the Dental Council of New Zealand.
Find out more about training
- Dental Council of New Zealand
- (04) 499 4820 - inquiries@dentalcouncil.org.nz - www.dentalcouncil.org.nz
- New Zealand Dental Association
- (09) 579 8001 - www.nzda.org.nz
What are the chances of getting a job?
High proportion of dental assistant jobs part time, but vacancies common
A third of dental assistants only work part time, which means it can be hard to find full-time work, especially if you are new to the role.
However, positions come up frequently because dental assistants often leave the role after a short period to move into other dentistry training or work in other industries.
To increase your chances of securing a job, approach employers directly, and target bigger dental practices as the likelihood of finding someone to train you is higher.
Types of employers varied
Dental assistants work for:
- dentists
- dental therapists
- dental hygienists
- school and community dental services
- hospital dental units
- the Defence Force.
Orthodontic auxiliaries work for an orthodontist, or for a dentist with a particular interest in orthodontics.
Sources
- Careers Directorate – Tertiary Education Commission research, July 2017.
Progression and specialisations
Dental assistants can complete further training and become orthodontic auxiliaries. Some dental assistants go on to become receptionists at dental practices, or practice managers. A small number get jobs selling products for dental companies.
- Orthodontic Auxiliary
- Orthodontic auxiliaries assist orthodontists and help diagnose and correct bad bite, crooked teeth and poor jaw growth in children and young people using braces and other techniques.
Stacey Reuben helping a dentist work on a patient's teeth
Last updated 20 December 2017