Is A Career As A Dental Assistant Right For Me?
The dental industry is exploding in technological advancements. It will continue to need qualified Dental Assistants. Dental Assisting pays well. It’s a great career choice for those who enjoy helping others look and feel their best.
Dental offices can’t function effectively without the presence of dental assistants and this is why this profession is expected to have a positive employment rate in the next few years. From scheduling patient appointments to assisting dentists as they treat patients, the role of dental assistants in the smooth running of the clinic’s operations cannot be underestimated.
Dental Assistants play an important role in the lives of dental patients. They provide many dental services within a dental office. In fact, they are often the first person that a patient comes into contact with once they are called in for their appointment. This is a great career for those interested in dentistry or helping others. Dental Assistants must be active listeners in order to best care for the dental patient. Reading comprehension and critical thinking are important skills as well. After all, a Dental Assistant may care for a patient who undergoes dental surgery.
Dental Assistants work indoors. They may work in large or small dental offices. Dental Assistants usually work full time. Some work evenings or weekends depending on the needs of the dental office. Some Dental Assistants may specialize in assisting orthodontists or cosmetic dentists. They may work within a sterile setting during oral surgery.
It is required that Dental Assistants follow safety procedures involved with in dentistry. If a Dental Assistant is responsible for the task of x-rays, he or she would want to minimize their exposure to radiation. Protective clothing is worn to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
When we consider salary for any profession it is important to consider factors such as location, education, and experience. Another consideration is the size and type of employer. Some Dental Assistants choose to work for organizations that provide dental services to low income patients. It is a personally rewarding choice. The pay is almost always less than the pay offered through private employers.
The starting salary of dental assistants is not very high but with experience, they stand to earn decent wages. It’s also a good job to go into temporarily for those who are still unsure if they want to proceed to dentistry school.
There will always be a need for Dental Assistants. In fact, cosmetic dentistry continues to improve by leaps and bounds. The advances made during the last ten years are astounding. This fact alone means that qualified Dental Assistants will always be in demand. Another reason the field will grow is because people now have more access to dental services and dental insurance.
Those interested in becoming a Dental Assistant have several options. Regardless of which is chosen, it is important to check what the qualifications are in your home state. Some states require that Dental Assistants attend and graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam administered by the state. Some states have no formal educational requirements.
If you are still in high school, focus on taking biology, chemistry, and anatomy. Those classes will help you when you move on to your Dental Assistant program. Most programs last around two years. The Commission on Dental Accreditation approves more than 250 training programs. Those programs include class instruction and lab experience.
Career Spotlight: Dental Assistant
A dental assistant helps in a dental office. They work under the supervision of the dentists and dental hygienists. Some of their responsibilities include prepping the room and prepping equipment for [...]
