2013 Indiana dental assisting salary survey
(National averages or percentages are in the parentheses to allow for comparison)
- Most common hourly rates: $18, $19, $20 ($18)
- % who earn $30 or more an hour: 0% (6%)
- % who last received a raise more than a year ago: 59% (56%)
- % who believe raises occur at fair intervals: 41% (41%)
- % who would recommend dental assisting as a profession: 72% (73%)
- % who envision continued employment as a dental assistant three years from now: 78% (71%)
Selected comments from Indiana:
- New assistants coming out of school cannot expect to make top wages without experience.
- Incoming levels for "barely trained" (untrained) is asking way too much, because most real training is on-the-job.
- Most dental offices want to pay the least amount for an assistant and do not value the benefits of experience and expertise.
- My hourly rate is on the high end because I am expanded functions, and I have worked for the same DDS for 11 years.
- Education and training is the key for our profession to prosper. Being a member of the ADAA gives us a voice!
- I still feel and believe that all dental assistants must be licensed.
- State laws need to require levels of training, education and testing for all assistants. Too many times I hear about DAs who let certification or licenses lapse with no accountability.
- Single parents will have a difficult time getting ahead financially working as a dental assistant, since most are part time in order for dentists to avoid health benefits.
- Mandatory education and credentialing are a must! Dental assistants must have an understanding of procedures and technology as well as the legal requirements in each state. They can no longer base everything on what the doctor tells them is legal. Dental assisting will be expanding in the future and education will be the key.
- Dental assisting schools need to improve their programs. The interns that come to our office to train seem lost most of the time.
