Dental Assistant Job Outlook

Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 19% from 2016 to 2026, much faster than the forecasted 7% average growth for all occupations. This represents an increase of nearly 65,000 new dental assistant positions from 2016 levels. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will likely continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services. Dentists will continue to hire more dental assistants to complete routine tasks, allowing the dentist to see more patients in their practice and to spend their time on more complex procedures. As dental practices grow, more dental assistants will be needed. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will likely continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services. Dentists will continue to hire more dental assistants to complete routine tasks, allowing the dentist to see more patients in their practice and spend their time on more complex procedures. As dental practices grow, more dental assistants will be needed

The aging population in the U.S. will provide a further boost to the Dental Assistant Job Outlook. As the large baby-boom population ages, and as people keep more of their original teeth than did previous generations, the need to maintain and treat teeth will continue to increase the need for dental assistants.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook