Certification benefits dental assistant workforce, survey shows
New research from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) reveals the value of certification on the dental assistant workforce and provides in-depth data on workforce trends, including pay, retention, job satisfaction, and workplace culture.
DANB’s Dental Assistants Salary and Satisfaction Survey results are a guide for dental assistants as they navigate their careers, as well as for dentists and employers who want to understand best practices to attract and retain qualified dental assistants. The survey results also spotlight the value of certification for both dental assistants and dental practices.
Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) bring value to dentists and dental practices through employer loyalty, clinical leadership, and practice productivity. The survey results illustrate how dental practices can maximize their productivity and profitability by employing CDAs, and the critical role dental practices play in encouraging entry-level dental assistants to stay in the profession.
Key findings
- CDAs are more likely to stay with the same employer and are less likely to change jobs.
- CDAs are more likely to be a lead dental assistant and are more likely to train and supervise other dental assistants.
- 40% of entry-level dental assistants say they want to stay in the field for 5+ years, while 22% are not sure. Higher pay (85%) and more career growth opportunities (43%) were the top two factors that would encourage dental assistants to stay in the field longer.
- Dental assistant wages impact satisfaction and retention. Dental assistants who earn higher wages report being more satisfied, and pay is the top reason dental assistants change jobs.
- 71% of dental assistants view dental assisting as a career, not just a job, but less than half (49%) feel valued by their employer.
Insights and opportunities
- Employing CDAs helps dental practices reduce turnover and maintain productivity.
- CDAs are leaders in the dental practice and contribute to practice efficiency and productivity.
- Dental practices that offer career growth opportunities and corresponding pay increases can help attract and retain new dental assistants to their practice and the profession.
- Increasing dental assistant pay can improve retention and offset the costs of turnover, resulting in increased productivity and higher revenues.
- Dental practices that foster a culture of appreciation can become an employer of choice for dental assistants and draw more dental assistants into the field.
About DANB and the survey
DANB is recognized by the American Dental Association as the national certifying board for dental assistants. DANB exams and certifications are recognized or required by 39 states and the District of Columbia. DANB’s Dental Assistants Salary and Satisfaction Survey is one of the most comprehensive, longitudinal studies on dental assistant workplace compensation, benefits, and satisfaction. The findings in the 2024 report are based on a 6% total response rate from survey invitations sent to more than 50,000 dental assistants.