Work chairside with the dentist - preparing the surgery, passing instruments, mixing materials, sterilising equipment, taking records and managing appointments. The quickest way into the dental team.
Salary Breakdown
Trainee or newly qualified assistant in a private practice or public dental clinic. Indicative range - confirm against the salary quoted on the vacancy.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
Based on the midpoint of the Entry salary range ($1,150,000 JMD), after NIS, NHT, Education Tax, and PAYE.
Show deduction breakdown
- Gross (annual)
- $1,150,000 JMD
- NIS (3%)
- −$34,500 JMD
- NHT (2%)
- −$23,000 JMD
- Education Tax
- −$25,098 JMD
- PAYE Income Tax
- −$0 JMD
- Net (annual)
- $1,067,401 JMD
Estimate only — illustrative rates and thresholds, not tax advice. Confirm current figures with Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).
Career Path Roadmap
- 1
CSEC Subjects
Pass four to five CSEC subjects including English Language; Biology and Mathematics are preferred by most programmes.
5 years (Forms 1-5) - 2
Dental Assisting Programme
Complete the Diploma in Dental Assisting (Expanded Function) at the UTech College of Oral Health Sciences - applicants attend an interview and must satisfy the selection committee - or a certificate or diploma at a private paramedical college.
1 - 2 years - 3
Clinical Placement
Complete the supervised chairside placement attached to your programme in a teaching clinic or dental practice.
3 - 6 months - 4
Register with the Dental Council of Jamaica
Dental auxiliaries are registered with the Dental Council of Jamaica. Confirm with the Council that graduates of your programme are eligible before enrolling, especially at colleges that are not yet accredited.
1 - 3 months - 5
Work Chairside
Assist in private practice or a public dental clinic: surgery set-up, four-handed dentistry, sterilisation, records and recall appointments.
1 - 5 years - 6
Advance or Bridge Up
Move into practice coordination, or use the experience to step up to dental hygiene or dental laboratory technology at UTech.
5+ years
Required Education
- 4 - 5 CSEC subjects including English Language (Biology and Mathematics preferred)
- Diploma or certificate in Dental Assisting
- Supervised chairside clinical placement
- Registration with the Dental Council of Jamaica
Common Local Certifications
- Registration with the Dental Council of Jamaica
- Expanded-function dental assisting training (UTech diploma)
- Infection control and sterilisation training
- CPR / basic life support
Where to Train
Local Institutions Offering Programs
- University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) - College of Oral Health Sciences, Diploma in Dental Assisting (Expanded Function) (accredited)
- SPACS College (School of Paramedical Studies), Ocho Rios - its programmes are listed by the UCJ as under review (in the accreditation process), not yet accredited, as at the December 2024 register - Dental Assisting
- Check the Dental Council of Jamaica for the current list of approved training programmes