Dental assistants work in the dentist offices. Their training and learning is received usually during the job, or in some states it can be obtained from dental assisting programs offered by some schools and colleges, or some institutes. The dental assistants are like another pair of hands for the dental operators, they are preparing the instruments and the patient for the procedure, always helping the dental operator and making his job easier and more effective.
Training and education
The dental assistant should be distinguished from dental hygienist who has more education, and is a professional that specializes in techniques of oral hygiene. Dental assistants usually don’t need a license or registration, but in some countries the dental assistant must pass a practical exam to obtain their license.
Working duties
Dental assistants can perform the laboratory duties such as making temporary crowns, impressions from mouth and teeth, or polish the removable appliances. They can perform the office duties such as making the appointments, receiving calls and transferring patients to the office, keeping the records, and managing the payment and orders for materials and dental supplies. The dental assistant’s job also includes preparing the patients for the procedure, gathering their dental records and making them comfortable during the stay at the dentist office. They are responsible for the sterilization of the dental equipment and instruments before their use. During the procedure they make the tray setup for dental procedure, hand the materials and instruments to the dentist operator, keeping the patient in the comfortable zone during the whole procedure. They instruct the patients to general oral hygiene after some postoperative procedures.
Practice and advancement
Every dentist has his own terms of working, so the dental assistant should spend some time in the new office to be fully comfortable with all the procedures and tasks. They need to be familiar with all the tools and equipment, as well as the procedures that they should assist or help the dental operator. So that means there is new information that should be learned with each new job. That is why on-the-job training is essential for this type of job, but when it comes to this matter, some states or countries require license to work as a dental assistant. To get this license you must pass an exam and finish the educational training that is less than a year. During that period you will gain the needed practical education, and learn the standards and duties of the dental assistant. The advancement of the assistant is limited due to the education, but there may be opportunities for those that are ready to take on some additional education. The dental assistant can become the x-ray dental technician, but sometimes this requires additional education in that field so you need to obtain the certificate for radiology which is necessary to gain the job.
Salary
Their salary varies in different states, and varies of how certified and skilled the assistant is. The average salary taken from all the states is $38,660, hourly average of $18.59. The outlook for this occupation in the next 10 years is that employment it will grow up to 25%.
