Dental assistants are well-trained individuals who contribute substantially to the dental team. Dental assistants handle various responsibilities, including patient care, office work, and laboratory work.
This article provides a detailed Dental Assistant Job Description template that is conventionally accepted. The template outlines the roles, qualifications, and required skills a person interested in becoming a dental assistant must-have.
Table of contents
- Who Are Dental Assistants?
- What Is The Role Of A Dental Assistant?
- What Does It Take To Become A Dental Assistant?
- What Does It Take to Become A Dental Assistant?
- How Much Does A Dental Assistant Earn?
- How Long Does It Take to become a Dental Assistant?
- What Is The Working Conditions For Dental Assistants?
- Dental Assistant Job Description Template
- Dental Assistant Job Responsibilities
- Dental Assistant Requirements:
- Conclusion
- References
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Who Are Dental Assistants?
Dental assistants are professionals that work as part of the dental team. They assist a dental practitioner in offering more efficient dental care.
Also, they help dentists with several activities, including administrative support, patient preparation for surgery, and chair-side help during exams and treatments.
Dental assistants’ training, functions, and patient scopes differ from other dental auxiliaries (such as dental therapists, dental hygienists, and dental technicians).
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What Is The Role Of A Dental Assistant?
When patients walk in the door, the first person they meet is usually a dental assistant.
Dental assistants assist dentists during dental procedures and expect operations to give over any tools needed by the dentist during the process. A dental assistant must know modern dental treatments, dental materials, and equipment.
A dental assistant’s tasks include:
- Dental assistants sterilize their dental instruments
- Sets out instruments and materials to prepare the workspace for patient treatment.
- By delivering tools to dentists during procedures, I can assist them.
- Using suction hoses or other equipment to keep patients’ mouths dry
- Suture removal
- Instructing people on how to brush and floss their teeth properly
- Under the supervision of a dentist, process x-rays and do lab duties.
- Keeping track of dental procedures.
- Schedules patients’ appointments
- Assist patients with billing and payment
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What Does It Take To Become A Dental Assistant?
Becoming a Dental Assistant necessitates the acquisition of specific skills. Because the responsibilities are so varied, you’ll require a wide range of talents.
1. Technical Expertise
One of the primary responsibilities of dental assistants is to assist dentists with operations. They perform fillings, crowns, and other functions in collaboration with dentists.
The following technical abilities are required:
- Advanced dental procedures knowledge to predict the order of operations
- X-rays, blood pressure readings, and tooth impressions are all possible.
- Dental supplies and equipment maintenance ability.
2. Detection of a dental emergency
The law expects a dental assistant to know CPR to respond to an emergency.
Many states require dental assistants to be licensed or qualified to conduct more sophisticated activities, such as taking x-rays or doing coronal polishes, although the standards differ by state.
3. Personality Qualities
Going to the dentist isn’t for everyone. Because you’ll be the first person patients see when they walk in the door, you’ll want to be friendly and empathetic.
That is why solid interpersonal skills are so crucial. You’ll need to do:
- Assist patients in settling in and preparing for their examination, operation, or procedure.
- Inquire about their medical background.
4. Listen attentively
You’ll be providing oral hygiene and care instructions following treatments or surgery, so be an excellent communicator. Your duty is to assist patients in feeling at ease before, during, and after therapy.
5. Skills in Administration
Administration responsibilities are typical in many jobs, which is no exception.
Besides your technical ability and people skills, you’ll handle several administrative chores daily. These responsibilities will vary by office, but they may include:
- Tasks related to office management, including computer-based work
- Scheduling appointments, making reminder calls, and even resolving billing concerns need communication with patients.
- Monitor everything and order supplies as needed.
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What Does It Take to Become A Dental Assistant?
Because some jurisdictions do not require a formal license to operate as dental assistants, the path to employment might be difficult. It’s a good idea to check your state’s requirements first.
Even though your state does not require licensure to work as a dental assistant, it is an excellent idea to pursue schooling because it will offer you an advantage when entering the field.
Many people attend classes at a school or through a technical program. At this point, you will gain the technical skills for the position. Whether a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree is required, dental assisting programs can take anywhere from one to two years to finish.
A Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) license is necessary for 39 states when you complete your course.
You can check their website to see if you need to sit for state licensure1. Carrington’s Dental Assisting program prepares graduates in California for the State of California Dental Board examination, which leads to licensing as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).
There are also tests for specialized practices, such as:
- Preventive Functions of an Orthodontic Dental Assistant Restorative Functions of a Dental Assistant Dentist
- Before an externship, to get occupational licensure/certification or employment.
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How Much Does A Dental Assistant Earn?
Most qualified and registered or licensed dental assistants with an x-ray license earn at least $18.00 per hour.
For instance, in the United States, the average Dental Assistant income is $17.59 per hour. Wages for dental assistants typically range from $7.25 to $33.15 per hour.
What determines salaries is usually a candidate’s level of education and experience and the geographic location of the practice. The needed expertise and skills will determine the starting compensation for your available position.
Salaries differ depending on where you work and other things such as experience. Uniform allowances, reimbursement for continuing education and professional dues, health benefits, and pension plans are all offered by some businesses.
The current work market for dental assistants is stable, and future estimates show that helping skills will continue to be in great demand. Aside from the need, there are several other advantages to working as a dental assistant, including:
- Career advancement opportunities
- Work that pays well
- Hourly pay is good.
- Flexible working hours and a pleasant working environment
- Working as part of a healthcare delivery team, with the ability to assist others
How Long Does It Take to become a Dental Assistant?
Becoming a dental assistant in the United States varies from state to state.
Individuals with a high school diploma or GED may qualify for occupations in areas where post-secondary education is not required to enter the sector.
Most formal training programs are available at community colleges or vocational/technical schools. Diploma and certificate programs typically span nine to twelve months. Accelerated training or lengthier part-time options may be available at some schools. In two years, students can acquire an associate degree in dental assistant.
What Is The Working Conditions For Dental Assistants?
Most dental assistants work a typical workweek, including evenings or weekends occasionally. Dentist offices must be in hygienic settings.
Assistants should follow safety and health rules by keeping the treatment space clean and handling and disposing of potentially hazardous materials.
Assistants frequently operate with X-ray equipment and should be certified in radiology to do so. Dental assistants also spend a lot of time sitting in the exam room, aiding the dentist during operations and administering treatments.
Dental Assistant Job Description Template
For our busy dental practice, we’re looking for a dental assistant who will assist with patient preparation, sterilization of tools, room setup, and some dental hygiene activities.
You should have a dental x-ray certification and give excellent patient care to succeed in this position.
Dental Assistant Job Responsibilities
- Preparing patients for dental work is one responsibility of a dental assistant.
- Sterilizing and sanitizing equipment, setting up instrument trays, preparing supplies, and assisting with dental operations contribute to infection control.
- When necessary, assist dentists in the management of medical and dental emergencies.
- Assist dental hygienists with operations.
- Take excellent care of patients.
- Keep track of treatment information in the patient’s medical records.
- Exposes dental x-rays during dental diagnostics and dental Takes care of x-ray equipment.
- They give patients information on dental hygiene, oral health, and plaque reduction.
- Gathers and records medical, dental histories and patient vital signs.
- Follow the dentist’s instructions for postoperative care.
- Dental equipment maintenance.
- Prepare initial impressions for study casts and occlusal registers for study cast mounting.
- Maintain dental equipment inventory and order dental supplies.
- Use Preliminary impressions to create temporary restorations and custom impressions.
Dental Assistant Requirements:
- Certification or an associate’s degree in a dental assisting program that is accredited.
- Certificate in dental x-rays.
- A high school diploma or its equivalent is required.
- Must complete Dental Hygiene Program.
- Experience with a variety of computer duties.
- Communication skills, both written and vocal.
- Professional appearance and demeanor regularly.
- Capable of providing excellent patient care.
Conclusion
A dental assistant’s primary purpose is to assist a dental practice in providing better patient treatment. I hope you execute the range of activities mentioned in this article to achieve that goal.
References
- careerexplorer.com – What does a dental assistant do?
- resources.workable.com – Dental Assistant Job Description
- explorehealthcareers.org – Dental Assistant
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