Dental Assistants: What They Do and How to Become One
Dental assistants play a vital role in the dental office. They help the dentist with patient care, sterilization, and other tasks. If you are interested in becoming a dental assistant, this article will tell you what you need to know. You can also see the dental assistant programs in NYC to learn more.
Below, we will discuss the roles of a dental assistant and how to become one. We will also provide some tips for those who are already working as dental assistants.
What Dental Assistants Do
Dental assistants perform many tasks. Primarily, they provide patient care and take x-rays. They also schedule appointments, bill patients, and work with insurance companies. Most dental assistants work in private dental offices. Some work in group practices, hospitals, or clinics. A small number are self-employed or work for public health agencies.
Furthermore, they usually work chairside with dentists. They hand instruments and materials to dentists and also make sure that the patient is comfortable.
Some dental assistants prepare materials for impressions and restorations, remove sutures, apply anesthesia, place rubber dams, and obturate canals. Other duties include taking oral x-rays, charting conditions of decay and disease, and providing oral hygiene instruction.
Dental assistants with specialized training can place and carve filling materials, make temporary crowns, whiten teeth by bleaching them, apply sealants and fluoride treatments to prevent tooth decay, remove plaque from patients’ teeth, and provide oral prophylaxis. Some perform office management tasks such as handling finances and scheduling appointments.
How to Become a Dental Assistant
Most dental assistants have postsecondary education, such as a certificate. Some states require certification or licensure for certain tasks, such as applying fluoride treatments, taking x-rays, and placing sealants on teeth.
Community colleges, technical institutes, and vocational schools offer courses in dental assisting. Many programs take about a year to complete, but some can be finished in as little as several months.
Some dental assistants learn their skills on the job from experienced assistants and dentists. Many states have expanded functions dental assistants (EFDA) programs that prepare individuals for expanded duties such as placing fillings and taking x-rays. EFDAs must have completed a dental assisting program and have at least one year of experience working as a dental assistant.
A small number of states require licensure for all dental assistants. To be licensed, candidates must graduate from an accredited dental assisting program and pass an examination.
The Benefits of Being a Dental Assistant
Dental assistants enjoy many benefits, including good working conditions, a variety of tasks, and opportunities for advancement. A majority of dental assistants work in private dental offices with pleasant surroundings and the latest equipment. Dentists typically have a small staff, so dental assistants get to know their co-workers well.
How to Find Dental Assistant Jobs
The best way to find a job as a dental assistant is to contact dentists directly. Many dental assistants learn about openings through word of mouth or by meeting dentists at conventions and career fairs. The American Dental Association and state dental societies also maintain job banks on their websites. Finally, many recent graduates find positions through temporary agencies that specialize in the placement of dental assistants.…