A dental assistant is an important healthcare worker within the dental team. The role is not limited to handing instruments to the dentist. It also covers nursing care of the patient in the field of dentistry, preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, carrying out simple diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, responding to unexpected situations, and taking part in health education of the patient.
According to the official Slovenian SPOT portal, a dental assistant works at the primary, secondary and tertiary level of healthcare activity. Before starting to practise the profession, they must complete a traineeship and pass the professional examination. The profession is regulated, and dental assistants may, under the conditions set by law, also carry out private healthcare activity as legal or natural persons.
Dental assistant – in brief
A dental assistant is a healthcare worker who, as part of the dental team, takes part in nursing care of the patient, in preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, in carrying out simple diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, in ensuring safety and hygienic conditions, and in health education of the patient.
The profession:
- is regulated,
- requires a traineeship and a professional examination,
- is practised at the primary, secondary and tertiary level,
- is present in both public and private dentistry,
- has a current national vocational qualification,
- requires a combination of professional knowledge, precision, communication and teamwork.
What does a dental assistant do?
A dental assistant is a member of the healthcare team who works alongside the dentist, that is, the doctor of dental medicine. The work involves far more than preparing instruments.
According to the official SPOT description, the occupational activities include:
- nursing care of the individual in various states of health and illness and in various stages of life, in the field of dentistry,
- preparing the patient for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures,
- preparing for dental procedures,
- carrying out simple diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and procedures,
- responding to unexpected situations,
- providing emergency medical assistance within the scope of their competence,
- health education of the patient within the team.
In everyday work this can also mean:
- preparing the dental surgery,
- preparing instruments,
- preparing materials,
- preparing the patient,
- assisting during procedures,
- maintaining hygiene in the working environment,
- cleaning and disinfection,
- sterilising instruments,
- taking part in the organisation of work,
- communicating with patients,
- working with the dentist and other members of the team.
A dental assistant is not simply »the person who hands over the instruments«
This matters above all for young people who are considering the profession.
The work of a dental assistant requires an understanding of the dental procedure, knowledge of instruments and materials, consistent application of hygiene procedures, and the ability to respond quickly and accurately.
During a modern dental procedure the assistant often has to keep track of several things at once: the patient, the dentist, the instruments, the materials, hygiene, safety and the organisation of work. This is why good teamwork is one of the key elements of a modern dental surgery.
Which competences does a dental assistant need?
The occupational standard for dental assistants covers a broad range of knowledge and skills. The following are particularly important.
Professional knowledge
Knowledge of nursing care, dental procedures, instruments, materials, hygiene, disinfection, sterilisation and patient safety.
Communication
The assistant is often the first person the patient meets. The ability to communicate calmly and respectfully matters, especially with patients who are afraid of dental treatment.
Teamwork
The dentist and the assistant have to work in step during a procedure.
Organisation
The work requires careful preparation of the surgery, the materials and the instruments.
Digital competences
Modern dentistry uses more and more digital systems, which makes both basic and more advanced digital competences increasingly important.
Where can a dental assistant work?
SPOT explicitly states that a dental assistant works at the primary, secondary and tertiary level of healthcare activity.
Community health centres
Dental assistants can work in the dental surgeries of community health centres.
Private dental practices
Private dentists and dental centres make up an important part of the employment market.
Specialist clinics
The work can be linked to various fields of dental medicine, for example orthodontics, oral surgery, implantology, prosthodontics, endodontics, periodontology and paediatric dentistry.
Larger dental centres and clinics
Larger institutions can offer work within a range of dental teams.
Is dental assistant a regulated profession?
Yes. According to current information from the SPOT portal, a dental assistant must complete a traineeship and pass the professional examination before starting to practise the profession.
Among the legal bases, SPOT lists:
- the Healthcare Activity Act,
- the Rules on traineeships and professional examinations for healthcare workers and healthcare associates in the field of healthcare activity,
- the Rules on the conditions for carrying out private healthcare activity,
- the list of occupations of healthcare workers and healthcare associates,
- the regulations on the recognition of professional qualifications.
The SPOT page for dental assistants was last amended on 10 December 2025, so it is important to check the conditions against current information rather than older descriptions of the profession found online.
How to become a dental assistant in Slovenia
The route into the profession is connected with nursing care, the professional examination, practical experience and an appropriate vocational qualification. One important option is the national vocational qualification (NPK) Dental assistant.
The Slovenian Register of National Vocational Qualifications currently lists the qualification Dental assistant with:
- occupational standard: 68158770,
- catalogue: 6815877011,
- qualification level: SQF 5,
- European level: EQF 4,
- Klasius-P field: dentistry.
The bodies currently listed as carrying out assessment for this qualification are the Secondary School of Nursing and Cosmetics Celje and the University Medical Centre Ljubljana – Dental Clinic. The register currently also lists 134 certificates issued for this qualification.
Important: the route into the profession is not necessarily the same for every candidate. Before starting any training, a candidate should therefore check their own situation regarding prior education, nursing care, the traineeship, the professional examination, work experience and the conditions for the NPK. Official conditions can change.
What is the NPK for dental assistants?
NPK stands for national vocational qualification. It makes it possible to formally certify the knowledge and competences needed to practise a particular occupation.
For dental assistants there is a current national vocational qualification, Dental assistant, placed at SQF 5 and EQF 4.
This is particularly relevant for people who already have suitable prior healthcare education or experience and want to move their career towards dentistry.
Traineeship and professional examination
Before starting to practise a regulated profession, the prescribed conditions have to be met. For dental assistants, SPOT explicitly lists a traineeship and a professional examination.
The professional examination covers four subject areas:
- selected topics in emergency medical assistance,
- the basics of safety and quality in healthcare,
- the basics of the legal regulation of healthcare,
- the professional content of the occupational field.
Alongside practical knowledge, a candidate therefore also has to understand the wider healthcare system, patient safety and the legal foundations of healthcare activity.
Can a dental assistant work in a private practice?
Yes. SPOT explicitly states that dental assistants may carry out private healthcare activity as legal or natural persons, provided the conditions laid down in the regulations are met.
This means the labour market is wider than the classic public healthcare system. The options include:
- community health centres,
- private dental practices,
- dental centres,
- specialist clinics,
- larger healthcare institutions.
A distinction has to be drawn between carrying out private healthcare activity and the range of tasks an individual may perform independently. The competences of a dental assistant remain defined by the profession, by their qualifications and by the applicable regulations.
Dental assistant – salary in Slovenia
»How much does a dental assistant earn?« is one of the most common questions when choosing a profession. The answer depends on whether the job is in the public or the private sector, on the difference between basic pay and allowances, and on work performance, length of service, working hours and the specific post.
Pay in the public sector
In the public system, a dental assistant is classified among healthcare workers in pay group E. In the current pay system the post is E035027 – DENTAL ASSISTANT, tariff class V, placed in the relevant arrangement within pay grades 9 to 19.
One important caveat applies: Slovenia introduced a new public sector pay system on 1 January 2025, and entitlements to higher pay are acquired gradually during the transitional period. The government states that the reform is being carried out between 2025 and 2028.
A pay grade should therefore not be equated with the actual monthly amount paid into a bank account. The final income is also affected by allowances, length of service, work performance, absences, working hours and other circumstances.
The private sector
Private dental practices are not covered by a single state pay scale applying to all employees. Pay can depend on the employer, the region, experience, specialised knowledge, responsibility, the type of practice, the volume of work, working hours and additional competences.
A single figure presented as the »average salary of a dental assistant in Slovenia« would therefore be misleading, because there is no comparable official source for it.
The minimum wage and dental assistants
The minimum wage for full-time work in Slovenia for 2026 is EUR 1,481.88 gross.
This is not a figure for the average pay of a dental assistant. It is the statutory minimum payment for full-time work.
Which personal qualities does a dental assistant need?
The profession can suit people who:
- enjoy working with people,
- are interested in healthcare,
- are interested in dentistry,
- are precise,
- are responsible,
- are well organised,
- work well in a team,
- have good manual skills,
- stay calm under stress,
- communicate well,
- have a feel for the patient.
Empathy matters too. A patient may be frightened, tense or in pain, and the assistant is often an important part of their sense of safety.
How demanding is the work?
The work can be demanding both physically and mentally. An assistant may spend much of the working day standing, at the dental chair, in awkward positions, making repetitive movements and in direct contact with patients.
There is also responsibility for carrying out hygiene and sterilisation procedures correctly. The work requires concentration, because a mistake in preparing instruments or materials can affect the course of treatment.
Dental assistants and working with patients
Communication is a significant part of the profession. An assistant may work with children, adolescents, adults, older people, patients with a strong fear of the dentist and patients with special needs. Alongside professional knowledge, social competences are therefore very important.
Why will oral health still matter in the future?
Slovenia’s National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) stresses that oral health is an inseparable part of general health and an important factor in quality of life. Caries and periodontal disease are among the most common diseases of the oral cavity.
This means dentistry is not simply a question of how teeth look. Oral health is connected with eating, speech, pain, quality of life, psychosocial wellbeing and general health. The need for dental care is therefore not a short-term trend.
Slovenia is ageing – what does that mean for dentistry?
This is one of the most important long-term factors. According to the latest EUROPOP2025 projections published for Slovenia by the Statistical Office (SURS), the share of the population aged 65 or over is expected to rise as follows:
| Year | Population aged 65 or over |
|---|---|
| 2030 | 24.2 % |
| 2040 | 27.4 % |
| 2050 | 30.3 % |
| 2060 | 31.0 % |
| 2100 | 33.0 % |
The share of people aged 80 or over is expected to grow even faster:
| Year | Population aged 80 or over |
|---|---|
| 2030 | 6.6 % |
| 2040 | 9.3 % |
| 2050 | 10.9 % |
| 2060 | 12.6 % |
| 2100 | 15.8 % |
At the same time, the projections suggest that the population of Slovenia will begin to shrink from around 2029.
This matters for the future of healthcare professions. It does not mean that every healthcare profession will automatically be in short supply. It does mean that Slovenia will need ever more healthcare services for an ageing population, while the share of the population of working age declines.
What does the ZRSZ Occupational Barometer say?
In its Occupational Barometer for 2026, the Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ) forecasts a continuing shortage of staff in many areas of healthcare. Among the occupations and groups in shortage it explicitly lists doctors, nursing professionals, physiotherapists, personal assistants, social carers, dentists and healthcare orderlies.
ZRSZ does not publish a separate forecast for dental assistants in this overview, so it cannot be claimed that they are forecast to be in shortage. The ZRSZ data does, however, show the wider context: the Slovenian labour market already records significant staffing needs in healthcare.
Will dental assistant be a sought-after profession in 10 or 20 years?
There is currently no official Slovenian forecast stating how many dental assistants Slovenia will need in 2045. You will not find such figures in this article. What we can look at are the factors that will shape future demand.
Factor 1: an ageing population
The share of older people is projected to keep rising.
Factor 2: the importance of oral health
NIJZ defines oral health as an inseparable part of general health.
Factor 3: healthcare staffing
ZRSZ forecasts a shortage of many healthcare profiles for 2026.
Factor 4: the development of dentistry
Dentistry is becoming increasingly digital and technologically advanced.
Factor 5: the organisation of the dental team
A dentist needs effective support in organising and carrying out treatment.
What will a dental assistant be doing in 2045?
That cannot be predicted precisely today. We can expect part of today’s work to be automated. There will be more digital documentation, digital imaging, computer-aided planning, automated administration, digital appointment booking, artificial intelligence and digital communication systems.
Some elements of the work, however, cannot easily be replaced:
- physical presence with the patient,
- preparing the patient,
- assisting during a procedure,
- maintaining sterility,
- working with instruments,
- communication,
- responding in unforeseen situations,
- working within the team.
When it comes to the future of the profession, the transformation of the work matters more than the question of whether it will disappear entirely.
Artificial intelligence and the dental assistant
Artificial intelligence will probably affect dentistry too. It can help with analysing X-ray images, supporting diagnostics, documentation, administration, appointment booking, communication, treatment planning and the organisation of work.
On its own, however, it cannot replace an entire healthcare team. For a future dental assistant it will therefore be important to learn to use new technologies. Digital skills will probably become an additional competitive advantage when applying for jobs.
Which additional competences will matter in the future?
A dental assistant of the future will probably need a combination of five things.
Professional knowledge
Healthcare and dental expertise remains the foundation.
Digital competences
Working with information systems and digital dental technology will matter more and more.
Communication
Human contact will remain important.
Specialised knowledge
Fields such as orthodontics, implantology, oral surgery, prosthodontics and endodontics will be of interest.
Understanding hygiene and sterilisation
This remains the basis of safe healthcare treatment.
Is dental assistant a profession of the future?
The most honest answer is that the profession has several long-term factors supporting its importance, but no official twenty-year forecast can guarantee how many jobs there will be in Slovenia in 2045.
Current information shows that:
- the profession is regulated,
- a current national vocational qualification exists,
- the work is carried out at three levels of healthcare activity,
- dentistry is part of the healthcare system,
- oral health is an important part of general health,
- Slovenia is ageing,
- the healthcare system already records a shortage of many profiles,
- dentistry is developing technologically.
It is therefore reasonable to expect that qualified dental assistants will remain an important part of dental teams in the future. It is not possible, however, to honestly predict a specific number of future jobs.
Dental assistant – advantages of the profession
The advantages can include:
- working in healthcare,
- direct contact with people,
- practical work,
- working in a team,
- the option of working in the public or the private sector,
- a range of fields within dentistry,
- opportunities for further training,
- working with modern technology,
- room for career development.
Dental assistant – challenges of the profession
The challenges include:
- responsibility,
- working with patients,
- working with people who are frightened,
- long periods of standing,
- repetitive movements,
- the precision required,
- strict hygiene standards,
- sterilisation,
- working under time pressure,
- the need to keep learning.
Where can a dental assistant progress?
A career is not necessarily limited to a single post. Development is linked to additional professional knowledge and to specialist areas of dentistry such as orthodontics, implantology, oral surgery, prosthodontics, endodontics and paediatric dentistry, as well as to the organisation of work and to further education in healthcare.
It also matters that the individual keeps track of how the regulations and the competences of their profession develop.
Dental assistant or dentist?
These are two different professions.
A doctor of dental medicine, that is, a dentist, is a healthcare professional who carries out diagnostics, plans and delivers treatment, and performs other professional tasks within the scope of their competence.
A dental assistant is a member of the dental team who takes part in nursing care, in preparing the patient, in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, in assisting and in other tasks within the scope of their competence.
Neither replaces the other. A modern dental surgery rests on cooperation between different members of the healthcare team.
Where to look for work as a dental assistant
When looking for work it is worth following community health centres, private dental practices, dental centres, specialist clinics, orthodontic and oral surgery clinics, and larger healthcare institutions.
On the Zdravstvena.info portal it is worth searching under several terms as well, because employers do not always use the same job title in their adverts:
- dental assistant,
- dental nurse,
- assistant in dentistry,
- assistant in a dental surgery,
- zobozdravstveni asistent,
- zobozdravstvena asistentka.
What to check before accepting a job
Pay is not the only thing that matters when choosing a job. A candidate should check:
- the working hours,
- the type of employment,
- the working environment,
- the number of dentists in the team,
- the field of dentistry,
- the opportunities for training,
- the opportunities for advancement,
- how sterilisation is organised,
- the equipment,
- the digital systems,
- the workload of the staff,
- the opportunities to gain additional competences.
For someone starting out, it can matter a great deal whether they will be able to work alongside an experienced dentist and an experienced assistant.
Frequently asked questions about dental assistants
What does a dental assistant do?
A dental assistant takes part in nursing care of the patient in the field of dentistry, in preparation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, in carrying out simple procedures, in health education and in responding to unexpected situations, within the scope of their competence.
Where can a dental assistant work?
At the primary, secondary and tertiary level of healthcare activity, and, where the prescribed conditions are met, in private healthcare activity as well.
Is dental assistant a regulated profession?
Yes. According to SPOT, a traineeship and a professional examination are required before starting to practise the profession.
Is there an NPK for dental assistants?
Yes. There is a national vocational qualification, Dental assistant, currently placed at SQF 5 and EQF 4.
How much does a dental assistant earn?
Pay depends on the sector and on the specific post. In the public sector the post DENTAL ASSISTANT is listed as E035027 and placed in pay grades 9 to 19, although the new pay system is being introduced gradually up to 2028.
Can a dental assistant work in a private practice?
Yes. SPOT sets out the option of carrying out private healthcare activity as a legal or natural person, where the prescribed conditions are met.
Will dental assistants still be needed in 20 years?
There is no official twenty-year projection for a specific number of dental assistants. Demographic projections, the importance of oral health, the development of dentistry and wider healthcare staffing needs are, however, important factors when assessing long-term demand for dental teams.
Will artificial intelligence replace the dental assistant?
Not every technological change can be predicted reliably. It is more likely that digitalisation will change part of the tasks and increase the importance of digital competences, while work with the patient, physical presence and involvement in treatment remain important.
Who is the profession suited to?
Above all to people interested in healthcare, dentistry, working with people, practical work, precision and teamwork.
Is it worth considering a career as a dental assistant?
If a young person is interested in healthcare, dentistry, working with people and practical work, dental assisting is a field worth looking into more closely.
The profession is regulated and has clearly defined competences. A current national vocational qualification exists as well. A dental assistant can work at different levels of healthcare activity and, where the legal conditions are met, in the private sector too.
In the long run, what matters most is that the profession will change. Alongside classic professional knowledge, a dental assistant of the future will also need digital competences, good communication, familiarity with modern dental technology, knowledge of safety and sterilisation, and the ability to work in a team.
Slovenia will be ageing over the coming decades. According to SURS projections, around 27.4 % of the population is expected to be aged 65 or over in 2040, and 30.3 % by 2050.
The question of the future of the dental assistant will therefore have less to do with whether technology enters dentistry, and more to do with how the dental assistant adapts to the dentistry of the future. For anyone willing to keep learning and to develop alongside the profession, that adaptability will be one of the more valuable career strengths.
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Have you found an error in this description, or does it need updating? Please send corrections to: podpora@zdravstvena.info
Official and professional sources
- SPOT – Dental assistant: conditions, competences, levels of healthcare activity, private practice and legal bases.
- Register of National Vocational Qualifications – Dental assistant: occupational standard, NPK, SQF 5 / EQF 4 and assessment bodies.
- ZRSZ – Occupational Barometer: forecasts for the Slovenian labour market and staff shortages in healthcare.
- SURS – EUROPOP2025: population projections for Slovenia up to 2100.
- NIJZ – Oral health: the importance and state of oral health and the public health perspective.
- GOV.SI – Pay system: the public sector pay system and the gradual introduction of the new pay scale.
- Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia – post E035027: the classification of the dental assistant post in the public sector.
