Dental assistant

Dentistry is a crucial part of healthcare. The demand for qualified dentists has witnessed a significant jump in recent years. Factors like more disposable income, increased health awareness and lifestyle needs has led to rising requirements for qualified dentists. Oral health has finally started to gain prominence around the world. Apart from dentists, dental assistants are the most crucial cog in the wheel of dentistry. They play a vital role in the success of dental practices. Dental assistants work under the supervision of dentists and perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. Their job role includes sterilizing and disinfecting the dental instruments and equipment along with preparing and laying out the instruments and materials required to treat each patient. They also keep a check on dental records of the patients.

Dental assistants are adept at making patients comfortable in the dental chair. Not every patient feels comfortable while sitting in the chair and waiting for the dentist to pick out his tooth. But assistants prepare such patients for the treatment with encouraging words and guided instructions. Dental procedures require both dentist and dental assistant to work together. As the name suggest, he provides assistance to the senior dentist. He keeps the process smooth by using suction hoses to keep patients’ mouths dry. He is also responsible for handling instruments and materials to the dentists during the procedure and instructing patients on general oral healthcare.

The job profile of dental assistants expands to preparing materials for impressions and restorations. General dental processes like handling dental x rays, removing sutures, and taking out excess cement used in the filling process etc are also handled by dental assistants. In addition, in recent years many dental authorities have expanded the duties of the assistants to coronal polishing and restorative dentistry functions as well. Dental assistants take care of laboratory and office tasks like scheduling and confirming appointments, bill collection, keeping a tab on materials and supplies etc.

Primarily dental assistants learn through on-the-job training. They need to complete formal dental assisting programs. Such programs are conducted at community colleges, trade schools and technical institutes’ etc. They need to cover subjects like chemistry, biology and office practices. The course curriculum includes classroom lectures, laboratory experience, and practical experience through dental schools, dental offices, or clinics. The practical experience gained at different healthcare centers holds them in good stead while they apply for the job. However, the real training takes place in the chambers of the dentists where they receive instruction on various dental terminologies and become familiar with names of different tools and instruments. They also learn to perform daily tasks in addition to dealing with patients etc. The tasks performed by dental assistants are often regulated. For doing certain kind of works, they need to get the license which can be obtained by passing an examination with written and practical components.

It is forecasted that employment rate for dental assistants are going to increase by a whopping 29% in coming years. That makes the career of dental assistant a happening and promising one.

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