Dental assistant

You can have a rewarding job as a dental assistant. This job entails a variety of duties depending on where you work and the size of the office.

The main duty a dental assistant is to work one on one with the patients and to assist the dentist during examinations and dental procedures. For this reason, one has to be completely comfortable working in a dental environment and with people in general. A person also has to have a calming manner so that he/she can help patients to relax and feel more at ease.

Sometimes a dental assistant is also referred to as a hygienist. No matter what they are called they are an important part of the dental team. Sometimes patients even feel more at ease talking to them then they do the dentist. Maybe it is because generally they are the first person the patient has contact with and is the first person who hears any complaints the patient may have.

Dental assistants are also the ones who generally helps to instruct patients on the best methods of brushing, flossing and overall techniques on taking care of their teeth. For this reason dental assistant must be patient, yet informative.

Dental assistants may perform such dental duties as:

Preparing patients for treatment

Providing basic cleaning treatment of teeth

Providing and teaching basic flossing techniques

Checking and examining orthodontic appliances

Taking X-rays of teeth

Sterilizing and disinfecting instruments

Setting up Instruments Trays before procedures

Handing the dentist instruments during exams and procedures

Providing suction during procedures

Some dental assistants also have to perform some office duties (especially if he/she works in a small office). These duties could include:

Scheduling patients for procedures

Making referral appointments

Handling some of the billing

Not everyone is cut out to be a dental assistant. A person needs to have more abilities than just being able to put a patient at ease. A dental assistant must also have:

Good listening skills

Good finger Dexterity

Good hand to arm steadiness

Good coordination

Good understanding of the equipment and the different tools used

Good time management skills

One must have some formal training before he/she can become a dental assistant or hygienist. This training can be obtain through: vocational schools, colleges, universities or dental schools. This training usually takes nine to eleven months, although some schools do offer accelerated programs. Upon completion of this training a graduate will only receive a certificate.

Some dental assistants will choose to become certified through the American Dental Association. This examination is referred to as the Dental Assisting National Boards. One has to have graduated from an accredited program or school or have at least two years of full time work experience as a dental assistant along with graduating from a nonaccredited school before he/she can be eligible to take part in the Dental Assisting National Boards.

As for the amount of money one can make as a dental assistant this will vary from region to region. But generally a dental assistant will make equivalent to that as those in the following medical professions: medical assistants, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, veterinary technicians and pharmacy assistants.

There is security in all health related jobs, even dental assistants. People will always need their teeth cleaned, examined and procedures done to them. Dentists can not do this totally on their own. For this reason, dental assistants are another health related career that will always be in demand, even as the world progresses and changes.

Could this be a career for you? To learn more about becoming a dental assistant, you can check out the local or state Dental Association in your area. You may even be able to discuss this career option with your own dentist and his/her dental assistants. They may even arrange for you to spend the day at their office overseeing what they do.

If you are interested in finding an accredited dentist school in your area, you could contact:

American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)

35 E. Wacker Dr.

Suite 1730

Chicago, Illinois 60601-2211

312-541-1550

Fax: 312-541-1496

E-mail: adaal@aol.com

http://www.dentalassistant.org

Smiling is something we all love to do. Dental assistants helps to make our smiles brighter. Maybe becoming a smile helper is a career choice for you.