Are you looking for a stable healthcare field career?
If so, becoming a Dental Assistant in Nevada provides you that option without having to attend school as long as a Licensed Dentist would.
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Licensing Requirements to Become a Nevada Dental Assistant
You can perform basic dental assisting tasks in Nevada without a license.
This includes helping a Licensed Dentist prepare for the next patient’s cleaning, extraction, exam, or restoration.
However, you will need Radiology Health and Safety (RHS) training and Infection Control (ICE) certification if you want to expand your Dental Assistant duties.
The Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners also requires CPR training for a Dental Assistant position, which you must renew every two years.
However, all the proof of licensure and training shall come from the dentist on duty, not you.
In turn, any dental practice that you work for will require you to have proper training, preferably from a school accredited by Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
You can acquire most of your certification requirements from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
In addition to the RHS and ICE training, you can also earn a Certified Dental Assistant or License Dental Assistant credential from the DANB.
Other related bodies in charge of approving Dental Assistant training programs include the Center for Disease Control, OSHA, and the American Dental Association (ADA).
5 Dental Assistant Schools in Nevada
1. College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
CSN offers training that prepares you for your DANB exams.
After taking preliminary requirements, such as English classes or general education anatomy or psychology courses, you will start the training that prepares you for work in dental offices, hospitals, public clinics, universities, and more.
You receive classroom and lab experience (300 hours, 33 credits total), which you could complete in about a year or less.
2. Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC)
The TMCC Dental Assisting Program takes about 10 months to complete.
This training will set you up to perform chairside support as directed by a licensed dentist.
This training will cover all infection control subjects related to state board standards and the CDC, and it covers many of the same topics you would find on the DANB exam.
The program description mentions a Certified Dental Assisting Board exam too, which may mean the same as the DANB exam or refers to the state board.
It is important that you find this out before you register for classes, but Google searches lead you to the DANB website.
3. The DALE Foundation
DALE provides Dental Assisting requirements information for people living in all states, including Nevada.
If anything, it provides you with ideas on how to find CODA-approved training.
DALE also has continuing education classes (CE) that could help you maintain and renew your current health, safety, and dental assisting certifications.
4. Las Vegas Dental Assistant School
The Las Vegas Dental Assistant School prioritizes preparing you for the workforce and all that is related to that.
What is more, this school makes it the goal of every student to not only work while training but graduate debt-free.
They offer both online and hybrid training, and they offer both flexible scheduling and payment plans.
The program takes approximately nine weeks to complete and prepares you for entry-level work.
The coursework includes all the essentials, such as CPR, infection control, and radiology training, as required by the Nevada State Board or recommended by local employers.
5. Nevada Career Institute
The Nevada Career Institute offers a practical learning solution.
Skills taught include record-keeping and appointment scheduling, X-ray taking and processing, and instrument tray preparation, infection control, and sterilization.
In addition, your instruction will show you how to deliver news to patients about oral health and hygiene.
This training will take you only about nine months.
Dental Assistant Schools in Nevada – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Nevada
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) | 700 College Dr, Henderson, NV 89002 |
| Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) | 7000 Dandini Blvd, Reno, NV 89512 |
| The DALE Foundation | |
| Las Vegas Dental Assistant School | 2801 W Charleston Blvd Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89102 |
| Nevada Career Institute | 3231 N Decatur Blvd #201, Las Vegas, NV 89130 |
Salary
In May 2022, an update revealed that a Nevada Dental Assistant can make an average yearly income of $41,798.
Salaries for this position usually range from $37,072 to $46,376.
Besides Las Vegas, find jobs in Reno, Henderson, Carson City, or Gardnerville.
Annual Salary Range:Average Salary of Dental Assistants in Nevada
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $41,798 |
| Reno | $41,082 |
| Henderson | $41,634 |
| North Las Vegas | $41,798 |
| Sparks | $41,082 |
| Carson City | $41,246 |
| Elko | $34,821 |
| Boulder City | $41,225 |
| Mesquite | $41,184 |
| Fallon | $40,550 |
Regional Salary in Nevada
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City, NV | 110 | $45,690 | $21.97 | $58,120 | $35,480 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV | 2,820 | $45,800 | $22.02 | $58,660 | $34,860 |
| Reno, NV | 650 | $49,290 | $23.7 | $58,310 | $37,220 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Dental Assistant training in Nevada cost?
Most workforce-related institute learning programs range from $3000 to $5000.
This coursework is usually designed to help you meet health and safety requirements for new employees.
You also may continue in a certification program that may take you a year or more at a community college or technical school.
The college or Tech school programs may cost you about $10,000 per year, but some schools do include certificate exams in the tuition.
How long does Dental Assistant training in Nevada take?
Dental Assistant certificate or diploma training in Nevada usually takes between 9 and 12 months to complete.
The associate degree programs usually take two years.
If you want to earn a bachelor’s degree, that would be four years, but you do not need that unless you are preparing to become a Licensed Dentist while working as a Dental Assistant.
(A Licensed Dentist also usually attends graduate school, but that is not necessary for an assistant.)
What are the requirements for Dental Assistant training in Nevada?
To become a dental assistant in Nevada, you must complete a CODA-accredited dental assisting program and pass your DANB certificate exams.
Make sure you also complete all requirements as directed by the Nevada State Board of Dental Examiners.
Can Dental Assistants in Nevada place dental materials?
It depends on your training level, as described in the list of allowable and prohibited duties.
Dental Assistants in Nevada may place dental materials under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist if they meet minimum state health and safety requirements.
What does a Nevada Dental Assistant usually do all day?
A DA often arrives before a Licensed Dentist does for the day and opens up the office.
They also might stock supplies and set up the equipment, tools, and instruments required for the first appointment after checking the patient’s schedule.
Some DAs are trained for just office work, however, while others might only take on clinical support duties.
However, most dental assisting involves a combination of both office and chairside assistance.
