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In today’s fast-paced world, it isn’t always possible to find time for everything that matters to us—and sometimes, our career is the reason for this! Achieving an acceptable work-life balance is no easy task, but sadly, there are jobs out there that make this quite difficult or even downright impossible. But did you know that a career in dental assisting is among the best for those desiring an ideal work-life balance? Here are four reasons why dental assisting is an awesome profession for those seeking a balanced, well-rounded lifestyle that includes satisfying work.
1. Allows for Excellent Time Management
While it varies based on experience and part- or full-time employment status, dental assistants tend to work anywhere from 20 hours a week to upwards of 45 per week. This range, although it seems somewhat average and nothing out of the ordinary, is actually quite telling; very rarely are they asked to work more or fewer hours, and their schedules are fairly typical (daytime and weekdays). This means that outside of work, their time is their own to manage!
2. Enticing Average Pay
Studies show that the average salary of dental assistants depends on their experience, with those earning the highest income having worked over 10 years. That said, average hours worked at this point also tend to begin falling off, as work equilibrium settles more and more. In any case, decent average pay combined with inherent work flexibility makes for an enticing combination that hugely complements many assistants’ personal lives.
3. Impressive Fun Rating
For many, fun on the job provides a nice balance when going to work every day—nobody wants to spend most of their workday feeling bored, depressed, or miserable! While there’s no true metric for “measuring fun,” job satisfaction surveys show trends that indicate dental assistants enjoy several aspects of their jobs, but most notably, the daily positive interactions with their patients.
4. Outstanding Growth Potential
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of dental hygienists grew by 33% over the last decade—which is much higher than the average of most other occupations, showing promising signs for those interested or currently in the profession. Needless to say, it’s easier to feel better about where you are in life if your job feels secure and has a positive future outlook; plus, this potential for growth means that later, you’re unlikely to have to spend time worrying about changing careers!
Some of the leading indicators of work-life balance include things like total hours worked per week, fun rating, average pay, growth potential, flexibility, and stress—all of which are accounted for when it comes to dental assisting, and all of which are positively trending within the field!
About the Green Country School of Dental Assisting
Our talented team here at the Green Country School of Dental Assisting has helped countless dental assistant students learn the ropes and transition smoothly into their new career paths, and they’d love to help you next! If you have any questions about the article or you’d like to get in touch with our team to request additional information or enroll, feel free to visit us online or give us a call today! Telephone: (918) 343-7188.