Who is dental assistant

Dental Assistants perform a variety of tasks and depend upon provincial regulations, however following are some specific tasks dental assistants may perform:. Other duties they may perform include: charting patient information, sterilizing instruments and the clinical area, preparing dental materials and cements, assisting in dental procedures, processing and mounting radiographs, pouring and trimming cast models, providing patient education and post-operative instructions as well as maintaining and ordering dental supplies.

Level II dental assistants obtain additional training in intra-oral duties, which means they are able to do everything a Level I dental assistant can do along with; dental radiography, mechanical polishing of the coronal portion of the teeth, placement and removal of rubber dams, taking of preliminary impressions of teeth for study models, topical application of anti-cariogenic agents, oral hygiene instruction with an intra-oral component, dietary counseling relative to dentistry, application of materials topically to prepare the surface of the teeth for pit and fissure sealants, application of pit and fissure sealants, application of topical anesthetics, desensitizing agents and whitening of the coronal portion of the teeth.

This is a great career option to explore A career as a Dental Assistant involves interpersonal skills, tech-savviness, and clinical knowledge. Dental Assisting can be a great I Want Answers! Select a Program A. Program of Interest Select Campus First. First Name Last Name. Yes No Current H.

Yes No. Some schools may offer accelerated training or longer part-time options. Students can earn an Associate Degree in Dental Assisting in two years. Based on our pool of users, dental assistants tend to be predominately investigative people.

They prepare patients for treatments and cleanings; take and develop x-rays; measure blood pressure and pulse rates; and sterilize equipment. Our finding, therefore, is perfectly in line with the dental assistant job description, many aspects of which are examination-, inquiry-, and investigation-centric.

In general, though, individuals aspiring to enter the field earn at least a high school diploma and many undergo some formal post-secondary training, even if not mandated by the jurisdiction in which they wish to work. One way to start answering this question is to consider which personality traits and skills are typical among dental assistants:.

Teamwork and communication skills Camaraderie and collaboration are essential in a dental office so that staff can focus on providing excellent customer service. Dental assistants must be team players and effective communicators, working closely with dentists and dental hygienists, who provide direct supervision. Empathy and interpersonal skills Dental assistants spend a great deal of time interacting with patients.

They must be comfortable working with people of all backgrounds, including many who are anxious or in pain. A pleasant, calming personality goes a long way in establishing rapport with patients.

Detail-oriented A patient's safety depends on the ability of dental assistants to closely follow very specific rules and protocols. Under the direction of the dentist, qualified dental assistants are allowed to perform the following procedures in Oregon:. Coronal polishing, which means removing soft deposits such as plaque, gives teeth a cleaner appearance. In sealant application, a dental assistant paints a thin, plastic substance over teeth that seals out food particles and acid-producing bacteria to keep teeth from developing cavities.