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The Board of Dental Examiners in North Carolina sets rules and standards for the practice of dentistry and dental hygiene.
It also classifies dental assistants, though these professionals are not required to hold a license.
The classification is based on the individual’s experience and takes into consideration their training as well.
Employers must verify under which classification does the assistant fall:
- Dental Assistant I (DAI): works under the direct supervision and performs basic duties, such as:
- Apply topical anesthesia and fluoride
- Polish dentures
- Instruct patients in oral hygiene
- Write laboratory orders and prescriptions
- Dental Assistant II (DAII): allowed to perform expanded functions while being supervised, such as:
- Apply bonding agents
- Coronal polishing
- Insert interdental spacers
- Remove sutures, excess cement, periodontal dressings
Of course, the classification will have a big impact on how much can a person earn on this position.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $36,933 |
| Raleigh | $36,172 |
| Greensboro | $36,031 |
| Durham | $35,971 |
| Winston Salem | $36,119 |
| Fayetteville | $34,596 |
| Cary | $36,172 |
| Wilmington | $34,388 |
| High Point | $36,247 |
| Concord | $36,198 |
Article Table of Contents
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 630 | $49,070 | $23.59 | $60,550 | $36,050 |
| Burlington, NC | 170 | $48,870 | $23.49 | $55,310 | $38,650 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3,130 | $47,980 | $23.07 | $59,750 | $36,600 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 720 | $55,970 | $26.91 | $72,840 | $42,060 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 570 | $43,530 | $20.93 | $55,430 | $35,350 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 120 | $44,280 | $21.29 | $56,220 | $36,860 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 830 | $50,230 | $24.15 | $58,290 | $38,080 |
| Greenville, NC | 230 | $45,920 | $22.08 | $57,340 | $37,250 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 300 | $45,580 | $21.91 | $59,150 | $37,620 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 150 | $43,350 | $20.84 | $56,410 | $35,140 |
| New Bern, NC | 120 | $43,580 | $20.95 | $55,960 | $35,890 |
| Raleigh, NC | 1,640 | $50,950 | $24.49 | $60,670 | $37,560 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 90 | $43,880 | $21.1 | $57,910 | $33,550 |
| Wilmington, NC | 360 | $47,510 | $22.84 | $57,760 | $37,660 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 550 | $46,410 | $22.31 | $58,030 | $34,460 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Training Requirements for Dental Assistants
Individuals classified as DAI don’t need formal training, but those who want to become DAII do need it.
For the DAII classification, just one of the following requirements must be met:
1. Complete a training program for dental assistants, accredited by CODA.
2. Finish at least one year of a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program.
3. Accumulate at least 2 years of work experience in the previous 5 years, and:
- Complete a course in sterilization and infection control – 3 hours
- Complete a course in dental office emergencies – 3 hours
- Finish a radiology training course
4. Pass the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
For all of the four situations above, a CPR certification is also mandatory.
Dental Assisting Programs
A dental assisting program is usually between 9 and 11 months long, and it is the main and easiest way of becoming a DAII.
These programs are made of several parts: clinical and administrative aspects of dental assisting, hands-on experiences, and a clinical internship.
There are many institutions offering such programs, and cover subjects such as:
- Chair-side dental assisting
- X-ray
- Specialty practice procedures
- Dental sciences
- Infection control
- Dental health education
- Office emergency procedures
- Dental office business practices
Depending on the program and career path chosen, future dental assistants can even obtain an associate’s degree that can allow them to perform certain procedures without supervision.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alamance Community College | 1247 Jimmie Kerr Road, Graham, North Carolina 27253-8000 |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | 340 Victoria Rd, Asheville, North Carolina 28801-4897 |
| Cape Fear Community College | 411 North Front Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401-3910 |
| Central Carolina Community College | 1105 Kelly Dr, Sanford, North Carolina 27330-9840 |
| Central Piedmont Community College | 1201 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204 |
| Fayetteville Technical Community College | 2201 Hull Rd, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28303-0236 |
| Lake Norman Dental Assisting School | 747 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, NC 28117 |
| Miller-Motte College-Raleigh | 3901 Capital Blvd Ste 151, Raleigh, North Carolina 27604-6072 |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | 1333 Jake Alexander Blvd, Salisbury, North Carolina 28146-1595 |
| Sunrise School of Dental Assisting | 900 Summit Avenue Greensboro, NC 27405 |
| Sunrise School of Dental Assisting | 1400 Walter Reed Road, Suite 200 Fayetteville, NC 28304 |
| Sunrise School of Dental Assisting | 1009 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27615 |
| The Dental Assistant Academy of Charlotte | 3707 Latrobe Drive Suite 420, Charlotte, NC 28211 |
| Wake Technical Community College | 9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603-5696 |
| Wayne Community College | 3000 Wayne Memorial Dr, Goldsboro, North Carolina 27534-8002 |
| Wilkes Community College | 1328 South Collegiate Dr, Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697 |
| Dental Assistant Preparatory Academy | 13425 Hoover Creek Blvd Suite 204, Charlotte, NC 28273 |
| Arch Dental Academy | 10450 Durant Rd, Raleigh, NC 27614, United States |
| Charlotte Dental Assistant School | 10220 Prosperity Park Drive, Suite 100 Charlotte, NC 28269 |
| Premier Dental Assisting Academy | 6708 Regal Oaks Dr, Charlotte, NC 28212 |
| Triangle School of Dental Assisting | 8307 Six Forks Rd. Suite 107 Raleigh, NC 27615 |
| EduDent School of Dental Assisting | 5415 G West Friendly Avenue Greensboro NC |
| DA 1.5 Dental Assisting School. | 2375 Brewer Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 |
| Jacksonville Dental Assistant School | 306-1 Dolphin Drive Jacksonville, NC 28456 |
| The Dental Staff Institute of Charlotte | 3320 Siskey Parkway Suite 100-A, Matthews, NC 28105 |
| SANDHILLS DENTAL CAREER CENTER | 1902 N Sandhills Blvd, Aberdeen, NC 28315 |
DANB Certification Options
The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) issues certifications for a number of dental assistants across the country.
Some of the certifications are:
- Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA)
- Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA)
- Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
Those with a CDA credential are usually permitted to perform extended tasks, such as X-rays and operate the X-ray machines.
The CDA credential is given to those who passed an exam made of parts, and for the exam, they need to either:
- complete a training program that was accredited by CODA; OR
- accumulate 3500 hours as a dental assistant
The DANB credentials are renewed annually after completing 30 continuing education credits.
Nitrous Oxide and Coronal Polishing Requirement
Both DAIs and DAIIs may complete a course lasting at least 7 hours that was approved by the Board, covering nitrous oxide-oxygen conscious sedation.
They can then monitor the patient’s nitrous oxide.
Coronal polishing can only be performed by DAIIs who completed the appropriate course approved by the Board.
The course must have at least 3 hours of theory and 4 hours of clinical studies.
Radiography Requirements
Only DAIIs are allowed to perform dental X-rays or work with the equipment.
DAIs can perform these tasks only if they meet at least one of these requirements:
- Pass the North Carolina radiography equivalency test
- Graduate a CODA-accredited program for dental assistants
- Having the DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification
Conclusion
The best ways for dental assistants to find employment faster in North Carolina, are the professional associations.
The Dental Assistants Association in North Carolina and the North Carolina Dental Society, are the best ones to contact for this purpose.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Assistant
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Dental Assisting by State