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Dental Assisting Duties
by Scarlet Daniels
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Overview
Dental Assisting Duties
Dental assistants work under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Assistant responsibilities include managing the office, assisting with dental procedures, sterilizing instruments, maintaining dental records, taking impressions of patients' teeth and helping patients feel more comfortable during procedures. Dental assistants may work in a general practice or an office that specializes in orthodontics, pediatrics, periodontics and oral surgery.
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Education and Certification
To be a dental assistant you must obtain a high school diploma or GED and attend a dental assistant program. The program may take less then a year to complete and award a certificate or diploma. For those that wish to pursue an associate degree, there are two-year programs. Program courses usually include laboratory, sterilization technique, radiology, patient screening and medical terminology. Individual state requirements may include national certification and dental assistant state licensing. National certification may be obtained through the Dental Assisting National Board.
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Skills
Basic skill requirements are communication, good hand-eye coordination and attention to detail. Some professional skills required are examination procedures, chair-side assisting, polishing teeth and operating X-ray equipment. Additional skills for office procedures include using computer software, operating fax and copy machines and customer service.
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Duties
Dental assistants prepare instrument trays, maintain dental records and supplies, place temporary restorative materials, make temporary crowns, educate patients about dental hygiene, apply topical solutions and prepare the exam room. Additional tasks for assisting in the front office include answering the phone, scheduling patients, accepting payments and filing charts. Dental assistants are prohibited from diagnosis and planning treatments, surgical procedures and placement of permanent dental fittings.
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Employment Outlook
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, dental assistants are expected to be one of the fastest-growing occupations through 2016. Because of a growing population, increased preventative care and the replacement of dental assistants retiring or moving into other occupations, dental assistant positions continue to be in demand. Dental assistants work in dentist's offices and federal and state government. Some dental assistants are promoted into office management, insurance billing and dental sales. Still others decide to go back to school and get trained to be a dental hygienist.
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Related Careers
Careers with similar skills include dental hygienist, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, physical therapist assistant and surgical technician. All of these, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, have faster then average job growth projections through 2016. A dental assistant may choose to become a dental hygienist for a step up on her career path. Some dental hygienist responsibilities include examining and cleaning patients' teeth and gums and educating patients about dental hygiene. Formal education through a dental hygienist program and state registration or license is required.
