Dental Assistant At The Post
He or she often work hand in hand with dentist. Dental assistant provide different types of patient care, office duties, and laboratory duties. They do not perform the same tasks that dental hygienists are licensed to perform.
The limitations to the duties dental assistants can perform is often regulated by the local dental governing body. Increasingly more assistant duties are being made legitimate to allow dental operators to focus more on dental treatment.
Dental assistant help the dentists provide more efficient dental treatment. Dental assistant greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of quality oral health care and are valuable members of the dental care team.
Dental assistant prepare patients for oral examination and assist other dental workers, such as dentists, dental therapists and dental hygienists, in providing treatment to the teeth, mouth and gums. Dental assistant also carry out chair-side and reception duties.
Dental assistant may work with just one person, or as part of a team. He may have to work under pressure as most treatments have to be completed in a minimum amount of time.
According to ADA dental assistant responsibilities may include:
- assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
- taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)
- asking about the patient’s medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse
- serving as an infection control officer, developing infection control protocol and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment
- helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment
- providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling)
- teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health;
(e.g., toothbrushing, flossing and nutritional counseling) - taking impressions of patients’ teeth for study casts (models of teeth)
- performing office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer
- communicating with patients and suppliers (e.g., scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, billing and ordering supplies)
- helping to provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and oral surgery
Dental assistant usually learn their skills on the job, although some receive training from dental-assisting programs offered by community and junior colleges, trade schools, technical institutes, or the Armed Forces. High school students interested in a future career as a dental assistant should take courses in biology, chemistry, health, and office practices.
If you have strong communication skills, enjoy working with your hands as well as your mind and want a career with responsibility, dental assisting is for you.
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