subject: Exploring The Details Of A Dental Assistant Career [print this page] One of the great things about a dental assistant career is that you have a wide range of duties. With so many different tasks to do throughout the day, you hardly ever get bored or uninterested. In addition, you spend a significant amount of time under the supervisions of professional dentist, which provides for great experience if you are considering advancing your career.
On any given day, you will be responsible for setting up and sterilizing equipment, organizing the area, preparing the patient and taking X-rays. In addition, you will have to take molds of patients' teeth, use topical anesthesia before the dentist gives shots, and remove mouth stitches. You will learn all of these skills during training.
In some cases you will also be in charge of office duties. If there is no office secretary, you too will be in charge of scheduling appointments with patients and updating their records. You could even have the responsibility of sending patient bills. Before accepting a job you should clarify whether or not you will be responsible for clerical work as well.
While working in an office, you will have the opportunity to become specialized in a certain area. Since you are working alongside a dentist, you will get the most experience in his or her area. Some dental assistants specialize in orthodontics. Orthodontics centers on braces and teeth straightening procedures.
It is possible for you to find work opportunities in places other than dentists' offices. Oftentimes, schools employ individuals to come in and give seminars on the importance of brushing and flossing. If this sounds like something you are interested in, there are many opportunities.
You can also pursue a career in a hospital. Hospitals employ dentists and assistants to perform dental work on patients that are bedridden. Although you would not be able to do this job without the help of a certified dentist, it is a great option to consider. This job would include more travel and you would have the opportunity to work in a variety of different places.
If teaching is really something you are interested in, you can consider a career training other dental professionals in a Dental Assistant Career. You will have to look into what certifications and experience you need to be qualified, but you are surely on your way. This profession is a very rewarding one as you get to interact with the public and learn new skills everyday.
