Any type of work in the medical field entails a certain amount of workload and mastery of skills. People interested in becoming dental assistants have a lot to learn before they’re ready to take this job. But with time, dedication, and a few essential tips, it shouldn’t be too hard.
As a dental assistant, you will contribute a lot to the success of a patient’s treatment and experience. Aside from assisting during procedures, you will also be in charge of coordinating with patients, gathering their information, scheduling, payment management, and so much more. You will possibly be the face of the office.
That said, here is a rundown of the tasks you should expect:
- Ensure that patients are comfortable in the dental chair
- Prepare patients and the work area for treatments and procedures
- Sterilize dental instruments
- Help dentists by handing them instruments during procedures
- Keep patients’ mouths dry by using suction hoses and other equipment
- Instruct patients in proper oral hygiene
- Process x rays and complete lab tasks under the direction of a dentist
- Keep records of dental treatments
- Schedule patient appointments
- Work with patients on billing and payment
As for technical and dental procedures, these are a few that you will be allowed to do:
- Coronal polishing
- Sealant application
- Fluoride application
- Topical anesthetic application
So, what do you need to prepare for your role?
Develop Your Interpersonal Skills.
You will be interacting a lot with patients. From the moment they walk to the time they walk out, your face will be the one that greets them. It’s essential to establish a good rapport with them as, sometimes, patients tend to feel less comfortable with the dentist. Developing a relationship with them could mean understanding their symptoms and issues better, resulting in better treatment.
So, not only will you have to become a good communicator, but you also have to be a good listener. The dentist will rely on you to help them conduct procedures and deal with the patients as best as possible. A big part of the job is being a people person, as you will be interacting with all types of people.
Learn and Pay Attention to Everything.
Dental assistants must be aware of and follow the rules and protocols, especially regarding infection control protocols. Not just as a dental assistant but as an individual, you should take the time to learn and memorize details about patients, dental care, and more.
This can prove to be extremely useful in your job. It can improve productivity and increase efficiency. Someone detail-oriented and constantly absorbing information is an asset in any profession.
Take Good Care of Your Hands.
The dentist isn’t the only one handling the tools and equipment going into the patient’s mouth. There will be times that you have to conduct procedures or assist in handling the tools. The skill of your hands is essential in this job. Having precise and nimble hands is a valuable trait in the medical field, whether you’re a dentist or an assistant.
Be Very Organized.
Lastly, dental assistants must have stellar organizational skills. Not only will you be tasked with handling patient records, but you also have to organize the correct tools and set up the tray ahead of time.
It would be best to develop a system that you and the dentist can easily understand. This can allow easy access to tools and records without messing anything up. With all the multi-tasking you have to perform, you must know where things are when something happens.
The Bottom Line
Being a dental assistant can be grueling work, but it is also very rewarding. In truth, many people can be dental assistants, but not all of them can be great at it. Because you will be dealing with so many people and taking care of their oral health, it’s important that you like what you do. It takes discipline, effort, and passion.
If you want to become a dental assistant, Northwest Suburban College is the place for you. Our Dental Assisting Program lasts for eight months and provides career opportunities and real-world experience. Located in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, we offer the best training for all our students. Fill up our form and get more information today!
