Imagine a career spent helping others smile with confidence. It’s more than rewarding; it’s life-changing. As a Dental Assistant, you’ll be working in a rewarding career and improving people’s health and lives.
Why consider a career in Dental Assisting?
The newly reinvigorated Dental Assisting program at Southwestern serves as a vital asset to our region, preparing skilled professionals to meet local healthcare needs. In a community facing dental workforce shortages, SWOCC’s program provides essential training — such as chairside assistance, sterilization techniques, radiology certification, and administrative support — that enables graduates to seamlessly join dental offices in our region. In fact, of the six students in last year’s cohort, five have joined local dental offices — either on-site at their externship locations or at other dental facilities. Given the demand for qualified staff and the difficulty offices report in recruitment, every cohort of dental assistants significantly bolsters access to oral healthcare in our rural communities.
Statewide data underscores the value of such training: in Oregon, employment of dental assistants is projected to grow by roughly 13% from 2022 to 2032, with more than 800 annual job openings expected across the state.
Graduates can earn a good wage too. In Oregon, average hourly wages for dental assistants hover around $29.00/hour ($49,370/year in Portland metro area), while median salaries statewide are approximately $54,000 annually, with top earners making over $63,000/year. These wages support local families, offering financial stability and a better quality of life.
Through practical, hands-on training SWOCC equips students with the skills they need to step directly into high-demand dental assisting roles — helping staff local clinics, improve access to care, and build long-term careers that support the region’s overall health and workforce stability.
Introducing our instructors . . .
Adjunct Faculty, Dental Assisting
“SWOCC is a prime example of how access to higher education in rural areas improves the lives of its community members and beyond. I can attest to this firsthand. I attended the dental assisting program myself and it was an affordable opportunity that gave me an amazing career. Dental assisting is an incredible opportunity for those who seek a career that allows variety and lifelong growth. My goal for this year and beyond is to increase the number of students in the program and help as many people as I can start their careers. There are a lot of career opportunities for students right here locally. Dental offices in our area are frequently seeking to hire.”
Melody Hardin
Expanded Functions Dental Assistant
“I’m excited to welcome a new group of students into an often misunderstood industry. Dentistry sometimes carries a stigma and being able to guide future assistants through not just the skills, but also the “why” behind what we do, is powerful. Watching them grow, from hesitant learners to confident professionals, is the most fulfilling part of what I do.”
Lori Lemire, DMD
Retired Coos Bay Dentist
“I’m looking forward to assisting in the education of a new cohort of students. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the students last year! They were eager to learn and motivated to work in dentistry – a career field I’m very passionate about.”
