Have you observed that lady assisting your dentist during your last visit? They are known as a dental assistant. Learn more about being a dental assistant on this article. Here is an overview of their job description, salary, available jobs and opportunities. Discover how you can become a dental assistant through training programs or schools.
In general, a dental assistant is an assistant to the dentist. A person in the position must come in the dental office before the patients and dentist comes in. He or she stays beside the dentist whenever there are patients on the dental chair. He or she must be able to perform simple to complex dental chair side assistance techniques and dental specialty practices. He or she must be well-versed in dental treatments, dental terminologies and auxiliaries.
A person in the position must generally be reliable, trustworthy and must have good manual agility. The individual must be a well-rounded person. Likewise, he or she must know how to show compassion to patients when they are in pain. That person must as well how to work with people that come and go to the office.
Dental Assistant Job Description
Depending on each state and country, depending on practice and depending on the dentist’s preferences, the dental assistant job description may vary widely. There are numerous work responsibilities according to the position. There are a variety of duties to perform. This includes responsibilities in relation to patient care, office work management, and laboratory obligation and duties.
A dental assistant works beside the dentist as the other is examining and treating the patients. He or she shall prepare and maintain the dental records of the patient. He or she must ensure that the patient is comfortable as he or she lay on the dental chair. Whenever the dentist needs instruments and other dental materials, he or she must be able to hand those items with proper caution and as fast as it can be. The person in position must also ensure to keep the patient’s mouth free from saliva and must be dry through the use of suctions. It is necessary to ensure that enough water is available for mouth rinsing.
What Are Their Duties?
He or she should be able to apply protective coating like fluoride on the dentist’s teeth. Moreover, those that are in this position should know how to sterilize, disinfect, sanitize and make germ-free instruments and equipments; organize trays for dental procedures and surgeries; instruct dental patients on oral fitness care and postoperative care. Likewise, he or she must know how to inspect and evaluate the quality of tools and materials being used by the dentist and patients. He or she must be able to control the operations of cleaning the equipments and systems in the dental place.
In terms of office duties, the responsible person must be able to do the scheduling and confirming of appointments; inventory, order and receipt of dental suppliers and equipments, receive of incoming and sending out of patients; completion of insurance forms and maintenance of treatment dental records.
Aside from this, the individual in this position should be able to expose dental diagnostic x-rays and take vital signs of the patients as part of their records. He or she should be able to assist the dentist and the patients in management of dental and medical emergencies. He or she can dispense, trim, and clean study casts as well. He or she can instruct patients in oral and hygienic sanitation and plaque control plans. Furthermore, he or she can make initial impressions for study casts along with colossal registrations for swelling study casts.
Dentist Explains How To Become A Dental Assistant
Moving Up The Ladder In Dental Care
As a senior in the position, job duties and responsibilities are heavier than entry level assistants. Seniors can schedule work assignments and conduct performance evaluations of other staffs. Likewise, the person in this higher position or level than the regular staffs should be able to provide training for the new and incoming staffs. He or she should be able to perform restorative procedures like amalgam, glass ionomer, composite, stainless steel crowns, chair side assistance, and other carried removal.
With the responsibilities and duties stated above, the dental assistant must have many different skills. The responsible individual must also be able to adjust actions in relation to the actions of the dentist and the patient as well. He or she must be able to manage their won time and from others. He or she must be able to listen to other people’s sentiments, their questions and their problems appropriately. Consequently, the assistant must have the ability to talk effectively and efficiently with different kinds of people. The proper and enough amount of information must be conveyed to the patient and dentist.
Working With People And Problem Solving
Nonetheless, someone in this job position must have skills in actively looking for ways to assist people. He or she must be able to determine the tools and equipments related to the job. He or she is obliged to have a general understanding and knowledge on work related documents. He or she must have the adaptability and capability to teach others and guide others.
He or she must be able to help the patients in understanding the patients’ problems and must be able to suggest resolutions for the problems. He or she must have skills for solving mathematical problems. He or she must have skills for good management and decision-making. He or she must make use of critical thinking in identifying different weaknesses and strengths through different approaches.
In addition to that, he or she must be able to assess how the patients are learning and doing in something to know if they are capable of following instructions and processing information. Being assigned in the position, the individual must be able to suggest improvements for the dental office as well as make suggestions on approaching different patients to better help them at the most appropriate and effective way.
Working Conditions Of Dental Assistants
In a dental place, the working environment should be maintained clean. Part of this job is staying and accommodating beside the dentist all the time especially whenever there are patients. The assigned assistant should wear gloves, eyewear, masks, and protective clothing. These accessories will protect him or her from related infections and diseases. Most of the times, the assigned person must be present whenever the dentist is present. Hence, if the dental laboratory is open during weekends or evenings, the assistants are likewise present.
Dental Assistant Schools
Nowadays, a licensure for dental assistant is being required. Strict requirements must be met. An entry level on the position would not require some formal training or education most of the times. Some would only ask for a high school diploma or a college certificate. Yet, it is better to acquire proper education
It will only take a few years to get a degree. One year is the usual term for dental training programs while an associate degree will last for approximately two years. Vocational schools offer a shorter period of programs like six months or four months.
What Types Of Classes Do Dental Assistant Take?
A common course outline includes Study Skills, Anatomy, Physiology and Terminology, Computer basics, Math fundamentals and CPR and First aid. The next courses to be taken are Dental Anatomy and Pathology, Fundamentals of Dentistry, Dental Office administration and Dental Pharmacology. Subsequent courses would also include Clinical Dental Procedures and Dental Equipment Use and Care. Dental radiography and Dental materials are also required. Lastly, an externship or internship is necessary
You may want to check out first if the school where you prefer to enroll is accredited or not. It is better to go to schools that are accredited by the Commission on Dental Association. The Commission on Dental Association certifies school and training programs based on institutional effectiveness, educational program, administration, faculty and staff, educational support services, health and safety provisions and patient care services. In terms of institutional effectiveness, the school is checked against planning and assessment, financial support, institutional accreditation and community resources.
The educational program is assessed according to:
- admissions
- curriculum management
- instructions
- curriculum content
- general education
- biomedical sciences
- dental sciences
- clinical sciences
- clinical practice
- student evaluation
For the administration, faculty and staff, the institution’s program administrator, member of the faculty and support staff are being evaluated. Educational support services includes the provision for clinical facilities, radiography facilities, laboratory facilities, extended campus laboratory and clinical facilities, classroom space, office space, learning resources and availability of student services. In terms of health and safety provisions, the guidelines and preparedness on emergency management and infectious disease and radiation management are checked. Standards based on these are checked and assessed carefully.
After the on-the-job training at a school or institution, a certification must be obtained from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) when necessary for the state which you wanted to work for the position. The student must take and pass the licensing examination. Some states would also require CPR certification, 2 years of full time and 4 years of part time work related experience. Annual certification is also required to be a Certified Dental Assistant as approved by the dental Assisting National Board.
Find a school that can offer you a rewarding career after graduation. Don’t waste your time, money and effort in schools that are not accredited and will not provide you the leverage to get chances for higher job opportunities and higher salary pay.
Dental Assistant Training Programs
Why are there training programs provided for the job position? A way to get this type of job is through dental assistant training programs. It provides employment opportunities to graduates on the related industry. Training programs for this position provides the same working environment like in the dental laboratory and office is provided. The program is helpful to provide students with different skills on practical, theoretical, clinical and interpersonal. The courses included in these training programs, most of the time, are same in those institutions like social sciences and dental opportunities.
How Long Are Training Programs?
Some modules in this kind of training programs include 10 weeks programs. In five weeks, the dental student assistant is taught about stuffs like anatomy, dental hygiene and others. In the next five weeks, students are taught exactly on dental instruments, proper sterilization procedures and others. While in other places or state, there are some training programs that may run for 18 weeks covering clinical and administrative coursework.
What are you waiting for? Have you already decided to take that course? Have you selected which school you would enroll in? Don’t waste your time. Don’t waste the opportunity that might be just for you. There are many related jobs that are offered nowadays and you might be able to grab one of them.
Dental Assistant Salary
Now that you learned almost everything about being a dental assistant, it is time to know how much you can earn when you are in the position already The compensation and benefits differs from each level, experience, working conditions and expertise. Most dental offices are open throughout the weekdays from Monday to Friday with 8 office hours per day.
Benefits That A Dental Assistant Recieves
Most people in this kind of work position are provided with benefits, bonuses and travel insurances as well. He or she may receive pays for holidays and vacations, as well as paid sick days. Others would offer free or discounted dental and medical services too. Before accepting the job offer and signing the contract, it is necessary to ask this relevant information to your employer.
Hourly Wages
As starters or beginners in the field, the rates would be expected to be lesser. The mean annual salary for a an entry level in the work position as a staff is as much as about $16 approximately per hour. Depending on the state, the experience and the job duties, the salary may be higher or lower than expected.
The range of dental assistant salary for all levels is quite broad. Hence, in order to assure that you can get a good job with good pay, one must invest in formal educational institutions and schools, attend a variety of training programs and excel in every work opportunity that is given. In general, the higher the pay rates, the better. So work well and work better. The more you work hard, the more you can get better salaries, better pay and better incentives.
Experience Leads To Higher Pay
For professionals who seek for higher positions and higher pay, there are continuous specialization programs and continuing programs that may be opt for. Only a few schools offer this programs so make sure to select and enroll in the most appropriate school that is accredited by the Commission of Dental Association as well. If you are tired of being a dentist assistant for many years, you can apply as well as dental-assisting instructor or dental sales representatives for companies. There are growing opportunities for this work position that have not yet been explored.
Dental Assistant Jobs
According to the Bureau of Labor statistics (BLS), in 2012, there are almost 297,200 jobs for dental assistants. The job outlook increase is expected to be as much as 31% on the average. Most entry level education will require for post secondary non-degree award.
If necessary for you to understand better the nature and work for this job position, go to your personal or family dentist. Spend a day with the dental assistant. Know his or her duties. Know what he or she does in every day of being in the position. Assess if you can do the same job. Assess if you can excel and will not get bored over time. Assess if you have the skills to develop and capabilities to learn. Who knows that maybe one day, you will be your dentist’s next associate? Be an expert dental assistant.
