Inspire Smiles

Consider a career on the dental team

  • Do you have a passion to help others?
  • Do you crave a non-traditional workplace where you’re not at a desk all day?
  • Are you good with people?
  • Would your ideal career opportunity include flexibility?
  • Do you thrive as part of a team?

Choose to become a part of the dental team as a dental assistant, dental hygienist or front office staff member. Inspire smiles – for both patients and yourself.

Dentists – click here for resources to help recruit, train and retain dental team members

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Dental assistant

What does a dental assistant do?

The duties of a dental assistant are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental office. In Wisconsin, responsibilities may include:

  • Assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
  • Taking and developing dental X-rays
  • Asking about the patient's medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse
  • Serving as an infection control officer, developing office protocols for infection control and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment
  • Helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment
  • Providing patients with oral care instructions following surgery and other procedures, such as having a cavity filled
  • Teaching patients appropriate ways to maintain oral health, including tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling
  • Taking impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth)
  • Performing office management tasks
  • Communicating with patients and suppliers, which may involve scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, billing and ordering supplies

Where do dental assistants work?

Dental assistants are found in a variety of settings, including:

  • Solo dental practices with only one dentist
  • Group practices with two or more dentists
  • Specialty practices such as oral and maxillofacial surgery (removal of teeth and correction of facial deformities), orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics (straightening teeth with braces or other appliances), endodontics (root canal treatment), periodontics (treatment of gum problems), prosthodontics (replacement of lost teeth) and pediatric dentistry (treatment of children)
  • Public health dentistry, including settings such as schools and clinics that focus on the prevention of dental problems within entire communities
  • Hospital dental clinics, where they assist dentists in treating bedridden patients
  • Dental school clinics, assisting dental students as they learn to perform dental procedures
  • Insurance companies, where they may work in dental claims processing

What benefits does a dental assistant career offer?

  • Good pay and benefits: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that dental assistants in Wisconsin earn average pay of $42,510 per year. Many dental offices offer benefits like insurance, paid vacation, 401(k) and more.
  • A fast start: In Wisconsin, dental assistants can train on the job, and formal training programs take less than a year to complete. Licenses are not required.
  • Variety: Dental assisting is a challenging and rewarding career, demanding versatility, motivation and a willingness to assume responsibility for many different tasks while working on a team.
  • Flexibility: Since dental assistants are in high demand, career options include both full-time and part-time positions, giving you the freedom to arrange your schedule around family and lifestyle needs.
  • Excellent working conditions: Dental offices are interesting, pleasant, people-oriented environments.
  • Personal satisfaction: Dental assisting involves working with people, and with this comes the personal satisfaction of knowing you've really helped someone with a valuable health service.
  • Growth opportunities: Working as a dental assistant is a great way to learn more about the dental industry. With experience and further training and education, many dental assistants go on to become dental hygienists and dental office managers.
  • Opportunities for non-traditional students: If you’ve been out of school for a while but are seeking a career change, dental assisting may be an excellent choice for you. Online learning and flexible scheduling will benefit students with family responsibilities as well as those who are working while they learn.

How can I train to become a dental assistant?

  • Dental assistants can be trained by a dentist in their practice.
  • Dental assistants who choose to receive formal education can do so through academic programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, universities or dental schools.
  • Graduates of these programs usually receive certificates. Most academic dental assisting programs take nine to 11 months to complete. Some schools offer accelerated training, part-time education programs or distance learning options.

Wisconsin tech schools and weekend programs  

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) is responsible for accrediting dental assisting programs. There are approximately 240 CODA-accredited programs in the United States.

Most dental assistants who choose to become nationally certified take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Becoming a CDA shows that you are trained and ready to assist dentists and other dental team members in providing quality care.

Dental assistants are eligible to take the CDA examination if they have completed a CODA-accredited program. Individuals who have trained on the job or have graduated from non-accredited programs are eligible to take the national certification examination after two years of full-time work experience as dental assistants.

Average dental assistant wages

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants (on average) make $42,510 per year.

Dental assistant career resources

Contact your dentist or your local dental society to learn more about careers in dental assisting. You may be able to visit a dental office to observe dental assistants at work and find out if this career is a good fit for you. You also can contact an accredited dental assisting program and arrange to talk with a counselor or visit the school.

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Dental hygienist

What does a dental hygienist do?

Dental hygienists work with dentists to provide comprehensive dental care to patients. In Wisconsin, hygienists: 

  • Perform patient screening procedures, including X-rays
  • Teach patients how to practice good oral hygiene
  • Apply preventive materials such as fluoride and sealants to the teeth
  • Counsel patients regarding good nutrition and its impact on oral health
  • Remove calculus and plaque (hard and soft deposits) from the teeth

  • Provides periodontal services such as scaling and root planning

Where do dental hygienists work?

Dental hygienists are found in a variety of settings, including:

  • Dental offices of general dentists and dental specialists (periodontists, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, etc.)
  • Public health agencies, hospitals and community health clinics
  • Schools and dental hygiene education programs
  • Sales and research for dental equipment and products
  • State and federal prison, county jails or detention facilities
  • Nonprofit health care agencies
  • Adult family home, nursing homes, community rehabilitation programs

What benefits does a dental hygiene career offer?

  • Good pay and benefits: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that dental hygienists in Wisconsin earn average pay of $72,540 per year. Many dental offices offer benefits like insurance, paid vacation, 401(k) and more.
  • Personal satisfaction: One of the most enjoyable aspects of a career in dental hygiene is working with people. Personal fulfillment comes from providing a valuable health care service while establishing trusting relationships with patients. If you have a passion to help others, this career can be a great opportunity.
  • Prestige: As a result of their education and clinical training in a highly skilled discipline, dental hygienists are respected as valued members of the oral health care team.
  • Variety: Dental hygienists use a variety of interpersonal and clinical skills to meet the oral health needs of many different patients each day. Hygienists have opportunities to help special population groups such as children, older adults and patients with disabilities. They may also provide oral health instruction in primary and secondary schools and other settings.
  • Creativity: Because dental hygienists interact with such diverse population groups, they must be creative in their approach to patient management and oral health education.
  • Flexibility: Full-time and part-time employment options and the availability of evening and weekend hours enable dental hygienists to balance their career and lifestyle needs. Hygienists also have opportunities to work in a wide variety of settings, including private dental practices, educational and community institutions, research teams and large group practices.
  • Security: Dental hygiene is projected to be one of the 30 fastest-growing occupations in future years. Due to the success of preventive dentistry in reducing the incidence of oral disease, the expanding older population will retain their teeth longer, and will be even more aware of the importance of regular dental care. With the emphasis on preventive care, dentists will need to employ more dental hygienists than ever before to meet the increased demand for dental services.
  • Opportunities for non-traditional students: If you’ve been out of school for a while but are seeking a career change, dental hygiene may be an excellent choice for you. Online learning and flexible scheduling will benefit students with family responsibilities as well as those who are working while they learn.

How can I train to become a dental hygienist?

There are more than 300 accredited dental hygiene education programs in community colleges, technical colleges, dental schools and universities across the U.S., with 9 being in Wisconsin. Most associate degree programs take at least two years to complete. Some universities offer four-year baccalaureate programs. Innovative training methods include distance learning and institution-based, didactic coursework combined with community experience.

You will receive hands-on clinical instruction in the form of supervised patient care experiences. Dental hygiene programs may also include courses in liberal arts (for example, English, speech, sociology and psychology); basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, immunology, chemistry, microbiology or pathology); and clinical sciences (dental hygiene, radiology and dental materials).

Accredited dental hygiene training programs in Wisconsin

After completing your dental hygiene education, you may choose to seek additional training in areas such as education, business administration, basic sciences, marketing and public health.

When your coursework is complete, you can become a registered dental hygienist (RDH) in Wisconsin by passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination (a written test) and Wisconsin’s authorized licensure exam.

Average dental hygienist wages

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wisconsin’s dental hygienists (on average) make $72,540 per year.

Dental hygiene career resources

To learn more about careers in dental hygiene, contact your own dentist, dental hygienist or the dental society in your area. Arrange to visit a nearby dental office to observe a dental hygienist at work and see if this career is a good fit for you. You also can contact an accredited dental hygiene program to meet with a counselor or schedule a visit to the school.

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Dental front office staff


What do dental front office staff do?

A dental office manager supervises the whole front office team, motivating them and keeping them on track and focused. Dental office managers will typically assist in payroll and training new employees, along with other day-to-day tasks such as scheduling and managing billing. They will make sure the office is always stocked with office and dental supplies.

A front desk receptionist, assistant or coordinator handles various tasks around the office that help make the work of the clinical team easier. For example, they take phone calls, schedule appointments, and keep charts up to date. They also handle test results like X-rays, they file insurance forms, and they make sure billing is accurate and kept up to date.

A dental insurance coordinator serves as the intermediary between the patient and the insurance company. Dental insurance coordinators are responsible for verifying patient dental insurance benefits, communicating with patients and processing insurance payments.

What benefits does a dental manager or insurance coordinator offer?

  • Good pay and benefits: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that dental office staff in the U.S.earn average pay of $38,660 per year. Salary.com reports the average base salary for a dental office manager in the U.S. is $73,397. Many dental offices offer benefits like insurance, paid vacation, 401(k) and more.
  • Flexibility: Full-time and part-time employment options and the availability of evening and weekend hours enable dental managers and office staff to balance their career and lifestyle needs.
  • Excellent working conditions: Dental offices are interesting, pleasant, people-oriented environments.
  • Personal satisfaction: Working in the dental office involves working with people, and with this comes the personal satisfaction of knowing you've really helped someone with a valuable health service.

How can I train to be part of the dental front office staff?

Typically, dental office managers and insurance coordinators have a variety of educational backgrounds. Some dental office managers have bachelors, associate degrees, or some other type of formal education. There are a variety of other educational opportunities available outside of a college or university setting.

For example, the DALE Foundation offers online courses in topics such as  Accounts Receivable for the Dental Office, HR Fundamentals for the Dental Office and Financial Reporting for the Dental Office. You can take these courses online at your convenience, as well as qualify for Fellowship requirements set by the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM), the membership association dedicated to dental office management.

You also may be interested in exploring the learning resources available through AADOM’s virtual eCampus.

Average dental manager and insurance coordinator wages

Salary.com reports the average base salary for a dental office manager in the U.S. is $73,397.

Dental manager or insurance coordinator career resources

To learn more about career as a dental office manager or insurance coordinator, contact your own dentist, your dentist’s front office manager or insurance coordinator. Arrange to visit a nearby dental office to observe them at work.

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