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AI Work Index

Headline risk

3%

Very Low Risk

Dental assistants

United States AI Work IndexISCO 5320crosswalk_exact

United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.

381.9 current · 406.3 projectedConfidence high

Why This Score

Tasks 100%

Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities

Wage $47K

Median annual wage

Demand 6%

Projected employment change over 10 years

Preparation Zone 3

Typical preparation needed for this occupation

Occupation profile

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Task evidence

100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage

Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works

United States Now

Median Wage

USD 47,300

Employment 2024

381.9K

Projected Change (2024–34)

6.4%

Openings (2024–34)

52.9K

Wage distribution

Bottom 10%: USD 36,19025th pctl: USD 39,520Median: USD 47,30075th pctl: USD 56,910Top 10%: USD 61,780

Demand outlook

Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.

Education: Postsecondary nondegree award Experience: None

Role Profile

AdaptabilityCustomer serviceInterpersonal

Tasks

  • 1. Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures. AI use: 0%
  • 2. Record treatment information in patient records. AI use: 0%
  • 3. Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies. AI use: 0%
  • 4. Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist. AI use: 0%
  • 5. Expose dental diagnostic x-rays. AI use: 0%
  • 6. Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients. AI use: 0%

Technologies

Henry Schein DentrixMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareEmail softwareKodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMSOpen Dental

Requirements

License required: 47.4%License required: 52.6%Certificate: 39.0%Certificate: 61.0%

Work context

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets 4.9/5
Contact With Others 4.8/5
Physical Proximity 4.8/5
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team 4.6/5
Telephone Conversations 4.5/5
Health and Safety of Other Workers 4.5/5

Worker profile

Median age 31.4 · 287K employed

Under 25: 26% · 25–54: 61% · 55+: 13%

Related

No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.

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