Individuals who are interested in dental assisting will find that they are in good company. With dental assistants holding over 270,000 jobs in the US and with a positive job outlook predicted up to the year 2018, dental assisting is a good and stable career to pursue.
But what does a dental assistant do? In this article, we will cover the exact job description and benefits of being a dental assistant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dentists are expected to hire more dental assistants so they can concentrate on more complex procedures with patients.
Many dental assistant programs last one year or less, and so, much of the day-to-day responsibilities and protocol is learned on-site at the dental office.
If your personality is one of a nurturer and you enjoy helping people, this career choice will allow you to help others while providing an intensive and interactive learning environment with a broad range of responsibilities that range from administrative duties to educating patients on the importance of proper dental health.
Dental assistants are responsible for a myriad of responsibilities around the dental office and are an integral part of the success and smooth operation of any dentist office.
A dental assistant is responsible for preparing new and regular patients for their dental procedures for that day as well as ensuring that all of the dental tools have been recently sterilized in order to provide a clean and safe environment for each patient.
They will also assist the dentist during any procedure by providing and helping with any necessary tools and materials and taking patient X-rays. Prior to any dental procedures, the dental assistants job is to prepare and make the patient feel comfortable for their dental procedure.
This is the main area where those who have a caring personality will excel because the stress level be very high for individuals in a dental office, especially for first-time procedures and having their teeth pulled. Some dental assistants will also have laboratory duties. Laboratory duties include cleaning and polishing removable appliances and making temporary crowns.
Assisting the dentist with making impressions of patient’s teeth and mouth is also a very fun part of this job as well. Dental assistants are also responsible for administration duties such as working with dental suppliers when supplies are low and scheduling deliveries.
Additional administration duties include scheduling appointments and making sure that new patient paperwork is filled out correctly and filed as well as updating patient records.
Those interested in getting into dental assisting will be happy to know that they will be able to work in a well lit, clean environment. A dental assistant must wear gloves at all times as well as protective eyewear, clothing, and masks that can protect them from any airborne diseases.
If you are interested in on-the-job training and learning about state-of-the-art technology and new dental procedures, then a career in dental assisting is definitely a good match for you. Again, the job outlook is very strong and can offer anyone a well balanced career for those who love to pay attention to details.
