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Registered Dental Assistant
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in copying information to record dental procedures performed, order dental and office supplies, prepare dental instruments and filling materials, and to invoice patients; and in taking preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts
Interest in assisting dentists in patient care and treatment; and in educating patients concerning oral hygiene
Interest in operating equipment to sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment; in taking and developing X-rays, polishing teeth and clinical crowns and applying fluoride and sealant, and to fabricating temporary crowns and restorations
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
With the right education and when registered, dental assistants may:
As administrative assistants, they may:
Dental assistants work as part of a dental health care team. The team may include dentists, dental hygienists, dental lab technicians and denturists.
Most dental assistants work in offices. They often need to work some evenings and weekends.
Dental assistants need to possess:
They should enjoy dealing with people and having clear guidelines. They should also enjoy operating and maintaining equipment.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 40 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 01, 2021 and Mar 28, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
| Prepare patients for dental examinations | 18 |
|---|---|
| Sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment | 18 |
| Record dental procedures performed on patients | 18 |
| Prepare dental instruments and filling materials | 17 |
| Take and develop X-rays | 16 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 16 |
| Tasks: Prepare patients for dental examinations | 16 |
| Tasks: Sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment | 16 |
| Tasks: Polish teeth and clinical crowns and apply fluoride and sealant | 16 |
| Tasks: Take and develop X-rays | 16 |
In Alberta, dental assistants may:
Graduates of programs accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada may register for practice when they pass the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) written exam. Graduates of non-accredited programs must also pass the NDAEB Clinical Practice Evaluation.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Dental assistants provide supportive dental care services to maintain and promote oral health.
Under Alberta's Health Professions Act and Dental Assistants Profession Regulation, registration with the College of Alberta Dental Assistants (CADA) is mandatory if you meet identified competency requirements and provide professional services directly to the public, teach the practice of the profession to members or students of the profession, or supervise registered members who provide services to the public. Registered members, who are authorized by the College, provide restricted activities specified in the Regulation. Only registered members may call themselves dental assistants or registered dental assistants or use the initials DA or RDA. Other dental office staff who are not registered may perform basic chairside dental assisting tasks.
For information on what you need and other details, visit the certification profile Dental Assistant.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Most dental assistants work in private practices. Some work for community health agencies or hospital clinics. Others work for dental insurance companies, dental and denture labs, and dental supply companies.
Dental assistants have few opportunities to advance. With more training, they may move into other dental roles or teaching.
In Alberta, 98% of people employed as dental assistants work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 3411: Dental assistants occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.3% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 188 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.22 | $30.00 | $24.15 | $23.38 |
| Overall | $21.06 | $34.00 | $29.84 | $30.94 |
| Top | $27.03 | $38.96 | $35.48 | $36.92 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| Public Administration | $66,470 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $50,403 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $50,322 |
College of Alberta Dental Assistants (CADA) website: secure.abrda.org
Canadian Dental Assistants Association (CDAA) website: www.cdaa.ca
Edmonton Dental Assistants Association (EDAA) website: www.edaa.ab.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) website: www.ndaeb.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 15, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.