Pedodontic/Pediatric Dental Assistant Training

Looking for a career to cut your teeth on? A career as a pediatric dental assistant (formerly known as pedodontic) means working with children as young as a year old, or from whenever their first tooth shows up. That’s the point at which the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend the first visit to a dentist should take place. Early detection of things like tooth decay can head off problems later. Giving parents a care plan is what make that ongoing good care possible.

Here’s what the duties of a dental assistant entail: escorting patients (and below a certain age their parents, as well), taking vitals as required and getting them ready for exams. Administrative duties are often included, while precise duties vary by training and experience. X-ray certification and softdent experience are both a plus.

Salaries for pediatric dental assistants average $30,000 nationwide, according to SimplyHired.com, but can reach into the $50,000 range, depending on location, qualifications and experience.

If you’d like to begin working toward a job as an Pedodontic Dental Assistant, MedQuest College can help. Our Academy of Dental Assisting offers courses in both Frankfort and Louisville, KY. Classes begin soon, so contact us if you’d like to learn more about becoming an Pediatric Dental Assistant!