Dental Assistant Pay

Becoming a Dental Assistant not only prepares you for a wonderful career working in the dental field, is also pays very well. Since this area of employment is anticipated to be one of the most in demand over the next six years, your chances of securing a great job with great pay and benefits is very likely.

The Median hourly rate of pay for Dental Assistants is $13.62. This is well above the minimum wage established in most states. In addition to a great hourly wage, many Dental Assistants will receive bonuses if the dental office is doing well, health insurance, and discounted dental procedures. Almost all Dental Assistants receive paid vacation days, sick days, and paid Holidays.

However, earning such a high hourly wage comes with a great level of responsibility. Dental Assistants perform duties relating to patient care, office sanitation, lab duties, and assisting the dentist and hygienist with a variety of procedures. Dental Assistants need to be alert, pay attention to detail, and have effective communication skills. They must also be able to provide patients with comfort measures both before and after procedures are completed.

Dental Assistants are easily confused with Dental Hygienists. Compared to hygienists, who have a median rate of pay of $23.65 per hour, a Dental Assistant is not making a very good hourly wage. However, they are very different professions. A Dental Assistant does just that, assists the dentist and hygienist with providing the best quality care for all patients. A hygienist takes care of cleaning teeth and generally has a steady stream of patients who come in every six months for routine cleaning procedures.

The amount of pay a Dental Assistant earns depends on many factors. The cost of living in your area will be the greatest influence. The amount of revenue the dental office you work for generates will also be a deciding factor. New dentists might have to pay less than established dentists will clientele because they dont have the traffic coming into the office. However, it is very possible your pay will increase as more patients are drawn to that dental office.

Your level of experience will also be a consideration. You may have to accept a position that pays less than average to get your foot in the door and gain some hands on experience. However, with the demand for Dental Assistants, you should have no problem securing employment. Many dental offices want to keep quality Dental Assistants. They may offer to start you at a lower entry level pay, with the understanding that your performance will be reviewed in 90 days or other time frame. Based on your performance, you pay will be adjusted at that time.

It is important to understand that certified and uncertified Dental Assistants complete the same types of tasks. However, those who are certified earn several dollars more per hour than those who arent certified. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to take the certification exam early on in your career as a Dental Assistant.

The Costs of Microdermabrasion

The cost of microdermabrasion can be categorized under three general levels: at-home, health spas and salons, and medical practices. Each category also varies in price. Lets explore the at-home cost of microdermabrasion first.

The cost of microdermabrasion home systems is the cheapest of the three levels.
However, home systems vary widely in price and quality. For example, many home systems do not provide the hand-held re-surfacing tool, but only the micro-crystal cream and usually a replenishing lotion.

This is more like traditional exfoliating regimens, but with the added bonus of the micro-crystal technology. You can find these systems for $15 to $55. Many prefer the added revitalizing power of a hand-held re-surfacing wand.

Other home systems provide the micro-crystal creams, foam applicators, and a hand-held resurfacing wand.

The advantage to this all-inclusive home system is that the resurfacing wand allows you to more deeply cleanse and polish pores while giving your circulation a healthy boost. The massage action of the wand actually speeds the process of cellular generation, leaving your skin feeling brand new, ranging in price from $40 to $150.

Spas and salons utilize state of the art microdermabrasion systems that use a closed-loop vacuum system.

Like home systems, professional microdermabrasion treatments also rely on the polishing effects that micro-crystal creams perform on the skins surface. Additionally, the re-surfacing device simultaneously vacuums and sweeps the debris clear, increasing tissue stimulation. Professional systems pack more power and durability due to repeated use and varied clientele needs, requiring training and cost several thousands of dollars. Treatments usually cost around $100 to $140.

The cost of microdermabrasion in a medical setting is usually more expensive because of the expertise of a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon, though RNs and other medical technicians also provide this treatment.

Medical microdermabrasion treatments are often provided as a compliment to other more invasive procedures. Medical microdermabrasion systems are the most expensive, being the most specialized, costing up to $25,000. Treatment prices range from $100 to $200, and are often offset by combining other services.

So whether in the comfort of your own home, at a health spa, or under the supervision of a medical professional, microdermabrasion technology empowers you to seriously beautify your skin at a reasonable cost, without the risks involved in laser therapy, harsh chemicals, or traditional surgery.