Dental assistants play an integral role in clinical practice. With their knowledge and people skills, they are an essential asset to daily operations. They deliver exceptional services by making patients comfortable and boosting every team member’s productivity. If you decide to take a dental assistant course and aspire to be a respected professional, here are some skills and traits you should possess:
Attention to detail
Attention to detail is crucial for almost every profession, but it is especially crucial when dealing with dental health. You will be responsible for ensuring patient safety and comfort, which means you will need the ability to pay attention to minor details.
For example, since many patients find dental offices uncomfortable, you will have to identify whether they are nervous or in pain. From there, you can provide them with what they need: a pillow, a hand to hold, or a caring voice that can calm them down. Other tasks that require you to be detail-oriented are recording patient information, maintaining patient records, and making sure you complete all clerical work.
Communication skills
Effective communication in your dental office makes your operation run smoothly and efficiently. You will be required to be in constant contact with every team member and serve as a liaison between different parties, which means you will have to talk and listen to patients, dental staff, and dentists of all ages. Some types of communication you must master are speaking face-to-face and over the phone, describing dental care instructions, and even initiating small talk with patients.
Organizational skills
To become an effective dental assistant, you should be able to stay incredibly organized. This is the only way to keep up with working in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate patient records, keeping patient information in its proper location, and ensuring dental instruments are in their designated places.
Professionalism
As a dental assistant, you will often be the first and last person patients interact with during their appointments. It means the way you talk, act, and present yourself will reflect on your dental practice and services as a whole. You will play a key role in patient satisfaction, so you need to have a professional demeanor. Therefore, have a good attitude, dress appropriately, take your work seriously, and promptly offer care and assistance to patients.
Service-oriented
Being a dental assistant is not for everyone; It is only for those who genuinely desire to help. This is why a career in dental assisting is likely not for you if the thought of supporting others doesn’t bring fulfillment.
To become a successful dental assistant, you have to love and take pride in your work. Remember that part of your responsibilities are handing off dental instruments, moving patients’ tongues while examining, and keeping their mouths clean and dry. These tasks may not seem glamorous, but completing them makes you the right arm of the dentist and hygienist.
Conclusion
Throughout the day, your job as a dental assistant is to be a team player. You will do everything it takes to keep the dental office running as smoothly as possible. If you are now ready to enter the dental field and dedicate yourself to taking care of patients and staff, improve your skills, gain more work experience, and attend dental assistant classes like ours.
Become a qualified dental assistant by joining our certified dental assistant program. At Northwest Suburban College, we offer an eight-month course, including eight weeks of hands-on training and clinical experience. Enroll now to pursue this fulfilling career!
