If you are interested in having a career in dental assisting, then you surely are willing to know what dental assistants do every day. Currently, this is one of the most sought-after jobs in the USA currently, where many people are working closely as dental assistants with the dentists, oral surgeons and doctors offering the patients excellent care and treatment.
What Dental Assistant is Required to Do?
As per the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants are required to perform many different tasks from taking x-rays to patient care, from record-keeping and scheduling appointments to helping the dentists and dental hygienists. They need to have the right knowledge of teeth and dental health as they will need to prep patients for a dental procedure. They will be helping in the procedure and handle the equipment during it. They also need to be excellent communicators so that they can make the patients feel completely at ease when they step into the clinic for some procedure.
In some of the states, if one has got dental assistant certification, they will be required to do procedures like
- Coronal polishing
- Application of the sealant
- Fluoride application
- Topical anesthetic application
So, if you have done your certified dental assistant program from MDS Dental Assisting Academy, then you will need to have the following skills that will help you in your career as a dental assistant. Take a look.
- Interpersonal Skills
The patients will first get in touch with the dental assistant when they are coming to a clinic. So, it will be your job to ensure that they are feeling comfortable in the clinic. Some of them might be in too much pain or some of them will be nervous about the process. They will have many questions in mind too. As a dental assistant, your job will be to help them feel at ease before the procedure. You will need to be sensitive and should have mediation skills and conflict resolution skills.
- Listening Skills
Another very important skill of the dental assistant is to have listening skills. While on one hand, the dentist will talk to the dental assistant about the procedures or instruct to give the instruments or get an X ray, on the other hand, the patient will need to comfortably talk to someone other than the doctor before and after the procedure. And that is why the dental assistant needs to be very patient listener while effectively work for what they are trusted.
- Dental Oriented Skills
Dental assistants are required to take care of various types of tasks. In fact, in some of the states, they will need to help the doctor by performing some of the minor procedures too. That is why a registered dental assistant should be interested in exploring different aspects of any case and help the patient and the doctor with their proactive attitude.
- Dexterity
Dexterity is an important skill for dental assistants. During the procedure, they are supposed to help the doctor using the tools. And in a close quarter, that can be challenging. That is why dental assistant must have dexterity so that they can perform the task easily.
- Organizational Skills
When you are becoming a dental assistant, you need to have excellent organizational skill. You will need to be meticulous in keeping the tools and the instruments ready when the dentist or the oral surgeon or the dental hygienist will need. Also, you need to organize the appointment schedules, the insurance requirements of the patients. They are responsible to keep the clinic uncluttered and comfortable enough for the patients and the doctor. Also, time management is a part of their job description too. It helps them ensure better care for the patients.
- Appearance
When a patient coming to a clinic for dental procedure, they will see the dental assistant first. They should be wearing clean scrubs and they will need to create the appearance that the patients will trust. The clean hygienic appearance of the dental assistant will help the patients at ease. At the same time, the dental assistant will need to have the right appearance that will reflect the professionalism of the place.
So, what are you waiting for? Find the right dental assistant schools in California and master these skills right away.
Summary
Are you planning to become a dental assistant? Read the article to know how you can be one and what skills you need to have.
