subject: The Many Rewards Of A Dental Assisting Career [print this page] Planning for one's career should start at the beginning of high school. While this seems a little early it is possible, for example, to concentrate of biology and other scientific related classes if planning to work in the medical field. This also applies to those who are interested in a Dental Assisting Career.
Dental assisting has continued to have steady employment, even in difficult times. This has been proven many times over. People still need to have their teeth taken care of and dentists need assistants to perform the work. A dental assistant is different from a dental hygienist who has more extensive duties to perform and must be licensed.
Anyone interested in this type of work needs to take scientific courses including chemistry and health courses in high school. Further education is available in Technical/Training Schools as well as many two and four year colleges. They teach the many skills that are needed to become a member of the dental office team and usually consist of a one year program.
There are 281 CODA approved training programs and if one is planning on enrolling in a technical school or other such institution, it should be checked to see if it is approved. However, there is no formal training required to be a dental assistant and some learn on the job. In this case a high school diploma or its equivalent is required.
When on-the-job training is involved members of the dental office teach the assistant all the tasks involved with the job. In addition, things such as terminology, names of instruments and other duties are emphasized. This is a very comfortable way to learn all there is to know about the job.
Duties involved with this position are widespread and include patient care, laboratory and office duties. They take care of all the dental instruments used. This includes sterilizing both instruments and equipment as well as putting out the correct instruments for the dentist to use with each patient. During the dental procedures, they hand needed instruments to the dentist and use suction hoses and other devices as needed for the patients comfort.
In a dental assisting career an individual may take and process dental x-rays, remove sutures, apply anesthetic to gums and do many other procedures connected with the patient's immediate care. Some assistants work in the laboratory, making casts of teeth from impressions, temporary crowns and other tooth related items. Office duties may also be included such as billing, keeping treatment records and so forth. The job of dental assistant can be a very fulfilling and enjoyable career.
