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Back in 2012, the Labor Market Information in Virginia counted 8,455 dental assistants working in the Commonwealth and foresaw a 37% increase in jobs in this field.
Dental assistants in Virginia don’t need a license but they do need to be registered with the Board of Dentistry in the state if they want to perform expanded functions.
Expanded functions can mean a higher salary.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $36,111 |
| Norfolk | $35,567 |
| Chesapeake | $35,522 |
| Arlington | $41,804 |
| Richmond | $37,857 |
| Newport News | $35,386 |
| Alexandria | $41,804 |
| Hampton | $35,386 |
| Roanoke | $34,886 |
| Portsmouth | $35,567 |
Article Table of Contents
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 70 | $40,040 | $19.25 | $59,520 | $29,050 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 260 | $45,540 | $21.9 | $58,760 | $34,990 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 160 | $42,860 | $20.61 | $54,990 | $31,730 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 190 | $42,500 | $20.43 | $57,430 | $30,170 |
| Richmond, VA | 1,550 | $46,570 | $22.39 | $60,390 | $35,960 |
| Roanoke, VA | 280 | $44,400 | $21.35 | $59,080 | $31,110 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 120 | $42,990 | $20.67 | $55,110 | $33,520 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 1,700 | $45,720 | $21.98 | $56,410 | $36,090 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 170 | $42,850 | $20.6 | $57,780 | $31,020 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
There are 2 practice levels that the Board recognizes:
- Dental Assistant I (DA I)
- Dental Assistant II (DA II)
Dental Assistant I
These assistants can perform basic procedures that are supervised by a licensed dentist.
They don’t have to undergo special training for this position.
Dental Assistant II
These assistants still need to be supervised by a dentist with a license, but they can perform more procedures than DA I.
Some of these tasks include:
- Pulp capping procedures a
- Apply base and cavity liners
- Fabricate master casts and make final impressions
- Place/remove non-epinephrine retraction cords
- Place, finish and cure composite resin restoration handpieces
- The duties of a DA I
There are some requirements an individual must meet in order to become a DA II:
- Be a DANB Certified Dental Assistant;
- Graduate from a Board-approved and CODA-accredited training program for expanded functions
- Apply to the Board for a DA II registration, on the basis of education
CODA-Accredited Dental Assisting Programs
CODA is the main accrediting body for dental assistants in the US, with national recognition.
The programs accredited by CODA may result in either a certification or associate’s degree.
As such, the programs for certification last about 1 year, they include an internship and provide the students with all the knowledge they need in their future careers.
The associate or in some cases bachelor’s degree can be obtained in one of the following fields:
- Dental hygiene
- Healthcare administration
- Business administration
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Centura College | 7020 N Military Hwy, Norfolk, VA 23518 |
| Dental Assisting Institute of Virginia | 3600 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834 |
| Fortis College | 2000 Westmoreland Street, Suite A, Richmond, Virginia 23230 |
| Fortis College | 6300 Center Dr Bldg 22, Norfolk, Virginia 23502-4101 |
| Germanna Community College | 2130 Germanna Hwy, Locust Grove, Virginia 22508-2102 |
| Medical Careers Institute | Commerce Plaza, 2809 Emerywood Pkwy, Suite #400, Richmond, VA 23294 |
| Practical Dental Assisting | 348 Southport Circle, Suite 102, Virginia Beach, VA 23452 |
| Tidewater Community College | 1700 College Crescent, Virginia Beach, VA 23453 |
| Today’s Dentist Assisting School | 7450 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188 |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | 100 VHCC Drive, Abingdon, Virginia 24212-0828 |
| Wytheville Community College | 1000 E Main Street, Wytheville, Virginia 24382-3308 |
| DATS Fairfax | 9942 Main Street, Fairfax, VA 22031 |
| DATS Fredericksburg | 201 Park Hill Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 |
| DATS Manassas | 7800 Sudley Road, Suite 7810, Manassas, VA 20109 |
| DATS Woodbridge | 14520 Smoketown Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192 |
| Dental Careers Foundation | 1436 S. Independence Blvd. Virginia Beach, 23462 |
| POWHATAN SCHOOL OF DENTAL ASSISTING | 3829 Old Buckingham Rd, Powhatan, VA 23139 |
DANB National Certification
The Dental Assisting National Board offers another nationally recognized certification, the CDA.
To obtain it, candidates must pass 3 different exams:
- General Chairside Assisting
- Infection Control
- Radiation Health and Safety
To be able to take Xrays, dental assistants have to meet one of these requirements:
- Complete a radiology training program that was accredited by CODA
- Complete the DANB RHS Review course and pass the radiation exam
- Earn the certification from American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
There are other certifications that dental assistants can obtain:
- Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA)
- Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant (CPFDA)
- Certified Orthodontic Assistant (COA)
These credentials are obtained by passing between 2 and 4 exams that are administered through Pearson Vue.
All the credentials have to be renewed every year after the individual completes 30 credits of continuing education.
DALE is the best institution to help in this regard.
Registration Requirements
To register as a DA II, a candidate has to make sure they have these documents:
- Form A: the Certification of Dental Assisting Education, that has to be completed by the institution where the education was received
- Form B: This paper covers the duties of the position and is to be filled out by the employer
- Form C: Certification of Authorization to Perform Expanded Duties as a Dental Assistant
All these documents along the application fee of $100 have to be sent to the Board of Virginia.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Assistant
Dental Assisting by City
Dental Assisting by State