Dental assistants are in important part of the healthcare team in any dental practice. They work under direct supervision of the dentist and act as an extra set of hands during most procedures. Although most dental assistants gain skills through on the job training, some choose to further their education. Those who choose to be certified enroll in programs at dental assistant schools. These dental assistant schools can be found in community colleges, in technical colleges, online, and through the Armed Forces.
Duties and Responsibilities of Dental Assistants
Dental assistants have several duties that include office work, basic laboratory work, and direct patient care. These duties include such things as greeting and receiving patients, obtaining medical histories, creating and maintaining dental records, and ensuring the comfort of patients while preparing them for treatments.
Dental assistants work closely with the dentist by sterilizing and disinfecting instruments and equipment. One of their main duties is to assist the dentist during dental procedures. They hand instruments to the dentist and make sure the patient’s mouth is dry and clear. They also provide instruction to patients on general oral healthcare. Some states allow certified or registered dental assistants to perform such duties as taking x rays, removing sutures, applying topical medicines, and even removing excess filling. Because these duties are more advanced, it is necessary for assistants to obtain training from dental assistant schools.
Those who are interested in dental assisting need to be reliable, need to be able to work well with others, and need to have good manual dexterity. The work environment for dental assistants is usually clean and well lit. Their actual work space is near the dental chair. Part of their duties is to arrange instruments, materials, and medicine.
Training and Education for Dental Assistants
Dental assistant schools provide the training and education necessary for dental assistants through classroom instruction, laboratory experience, and clinical experience. Most dental assistant schools require a commitment of one to two years depending on the level the students want to obtain. If the dental assistant is simply looking to become certified, they can expect to invest about one year of their time. However, if they want to become a registered dental assistant with greater responsibilities, they may benefit more from an Associate’s degree program that takes up to two years.
It is very important that you make sure the dental assistant schools you are considering are accredited by the American Dental Association (or its Commission on Dental Accreditation). There are approximately 300 accredited dental assistant schools to choose. Subjects included in these programs are dental terminology, health education, basic record keeping skills, and patient care. Most states require the passing of a comprehensive written exam as well as the passing of a hands-on clinical exam after successful completion of a dental assisting program.
Completing a program from one of the dental assisting schools can be a very wise career decision. By doing so, you would be able to increase your earning potential. For example, a certified assistant can make an average of $2.28 more per hour than someone who is not certified
