subject: The Various Responsibilities Of A Dental Assistant [print this page] Someone who loves helping people and has an interest in oral hygiene may find that being a dental assistant is a fulfilling career choice. These skilled workers are side by side with the dentist during all procedures helping things to go as smoothly as possible. Before taking steps to move into this exciting career field, it is important that someone understands exactly what the position entails.
In most cases, an assistant in a dentist office will have responsibilities related to patient care. They will prepare the patient for treatment and keep their mouth dry with suction while the dentist performs the examination or procedure. They are also responsible for making sure that all instruments and equipment are sterile and disinfected in addition to handing the instruments to the dentist as needed.
An assistant to a dentist may also have specific duties in the lab. They will most likely be expected to be able to make temporary crowns as well as making casts of teeth and mouths from impressions taken by the dentist. It is also the job of the assistant to polish and clean all removable appliances in the office and examination rooms.
In addition to working directly with patient care and laboratory procedures, the assistant, in many cases, will be expected to assist with office work. This may include scheduling and confirming appointments as well as ordering supplies. They will also be expected to keep treatment records for patients and handle duties such as billing, accepting payments and ordering supplies.
Once someone has become a skilled assistant to a dentist, there are many opportunities for advancement that could lead to new challenging and exciting responsibilities. Many assistants go on to become office managers, dental product sales representatives or instructors to new dental assistants. Some are also inspired by the experience they have as assistants to go back to school and become dental hygienists, which opens up a new array of tasks they can perform.
In order to become a truly successful dental assistant, someone must have a variety of skills to call upon in many different situations. They must be able to think on their feet and provide effective assistance to the dentist during procedures and examinations. They must also be knowledgeable in performing lab duties and organized enough to handle office responsibilities. Becoming an assistant in a dentist office is a rewarding career that can lead to many other exciting career opportunities.
