Dental Assistant Duties

With the field of dental care growing by leaps and bounds, it is now witnessing the growth of numerous job opportunities within the field. One such job is that of a dental assistant, that has now become a lucrative career choice for many students aspiring to get medical jobs. In fact, even the latest information on the average salary of a dental assistant suggests that it is a very great choice for those wishing to pursue a career in the world of dental care. As the title suggests, the main job of such a professional is to aid a dentist in carrying out treatment procedures and other related tasks. A dental assistant may work for more than one dentist, but always under the supervision of one. For those of you aspiring for a career in this field of dental care, here's an in-depth look into the duties it entails.

Duties and Responsibilities

Dental assistants may perform duties such as office duties, laboratory duties, and patient care. Often these duties overlap and it is not necessary that if a dental assistant has been designated one duty there is no looking beyond it. Also, the duties of a registered dental assistant may vary based on state regulations, but there are some core duties that are to be performed by all such professionals.

• Among the patient care duties are included sterilizing dental instruments before every patient is treated, and preparing them to be used by the dentist.
• When a patient arrives for an appointment, a dental assistant will make the patient comfortable in the dentist's chair and prepare her/him for the treatment.
• While the patient is undergoing treatment, a dental assistant will assist the dentist in carrying out the treatment, by handing her/him the necessary instruments and materials such as suction hoses and other such devices.
• After the treatment, a dental assistant will instruct the patient on the aftercare of the treatment including the basics of maintaining general dental health. She/he will also maintain records of the patient's treatment procedure, the progress after treatment, and upcoming appointments and other general records.
• Dental assistants may also be required to order supplies for the purpose of treatment.
• In some cases, they will make preparations for impressions and restorations. They will process x-ray films according to instruction.
• A dental assistant may be asked to apply anesthetics to the necessary areas in the mouth for treatment, to remove excess cement after a filling has been performed, and use the necessary instruments to isolate the teeth for the purpose of treatment.
• Among the laboratory duties, a dental assistant may be asked to make temporary crowns, and to make casts after taking the required impressions.

To become a dental assistant, you will have to pursue either a certificate, a diploma or an associate's degree in dental assisting. During the course period, along with enabling you to fulfill the dental assistant job description, you will also be trained to carry out administrative tasks, to handle dental radiography equipment, and to handle medical billing.

The salary range of a dental assistant varies based on the number of years of experience. These professionals are paid on an hourly rate, and as they gain more experience, the rate keeps increasing. As such, this job may be performed part-time or full-time. There are a number of personal skills that you should possess and that should be reflected on the resume. These include interpersonal skills, technological skills, clerical skills, and clinical skills. While most of these will be taught to you during your training period, some are inherent that can be honed as per the requirement of the job. With this information, hopefully, you have been able to decide whether or not you want to enter this field and make the most of all that it has to offer to you.