What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
3 min read
Dental assistants must be adept at handling individuals from diverse backgrounds and personalities. They should communicate clearly while possessing dexterity to keep their work area tidy and arranged.
Formal dental assisting programs provide certificates or associate degrees. These courses are both online and classroom based.
Job description
Dental assistants are part of a healthcare team that assists dentists in providing patient care. Highly-trained professionals, dental assistants are qualified to perform an array of tasks and often receive licenses from state governments to operate legally in their roles.
Dental assistants perform many administrative and clerical duties in addition to sterilizing dental tools and equipment, providing dental care instructions to patients, documenting patient records and even helping prepare treatment rooms for forthcoming procedures.
An experienced dental assistant’s duties depend on their practice and state regulations. An advanced assistant may perform more complex procedures like preparing teeth for crowns and taking dental impressions; additionally they can educate patients about oral hygiene practices while encouraging healthy lifestyle decisions.
Education requirements
Dental assistants can receive training on the job, though many also opt for academic programs to prepare them for their responsibilities. Such courses cover all aspects of this profession – chairside assisting, infection control and material use are just a few areas covered as well as practicing with X-ray machines – giving students everything they need for passing certification exams.
Dental assisting majors also gain exposure to medical terminology, anatomy and physiology that provides them with an in-depth knowledge of healthcare industry practices and patient care protocols. This knowledge is essential when helping dentists perform procedures or understanding patient care protocols.
Graduates of dental assistant programs should be prepared to sit the National Entry-Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). This exam covers clinical and administrative components of this occupation, including chairside assisting; oral anatomy/materials/radiology imaging/infection control as well as chairside assistance. Many academic programs also offer externships as a voluntary component of coursework that allows them to gain real world experience in this field.
Work environment
Dental assistants are essential members of any dental team. They assist dentists and hygienists, ensure quality patient care is delivered, schedule appointments for patients, manage patient records, maintain organizational systems and have great attention to detail.
Many dental assistants find work in private practices; others may work in corporate dental offices or hospitals that specialize in emergency or specialty dental services. Dental assistants may also find employment with insurance companies, reviewing healthcare documentation to verify billing accurately by dental offices.
If you’re seeking a career in healthcare but lack the time or resources to pursue an MD degree, becoming a dental assistant might be your perfect match. Dental assisting allows you to help others in an essential manner while still having flexible work hours and working according to a manageable schedule – UEI offers dental assistant training programs which can equip you with these essential skills in only 10 months!
Salary
The salary of a dental assistant depends on several factors, including location and level of experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), metropolitan areas tend to offer higher-paying opportunities but may involve increased living costs.
Dental assistants can make extra money working evenings and weekends at certain practices. Emergency dentistry offices typically pay higher hourly rates.
Dental assistants may enjoy many perks and benefits beyond salary, such as healthcare coverage and paid time off. This helps them maintain financial security while enjoying the job satisfaction. Dental hygienists or seeking further education could potentially advance their careers further, while managers with experience could potentially earn even more while serving as trainers or supervisors to new dental assistants.
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