Dental assistants help dentists with basic tasks, such as impressions and managing equipment during procedures. This exciting career combines office management and scheduling with healthcare tasks.
Dental assistants are members of the dental
team. They help a dental operator (such as a dentist or other treating dental assistant) provide more efficient dental treatment.Dental assistants are distinguished from other groups of dental assistants (such as dental therapists, dental hygienists, and dental technicians) because of their different training, functions, and patient reach. In general, dental assistants spend most of the day interacting with other people, often in nearby locations. The most visible thing is that people can see dental assistants passing instruments, but that's just the beginning of their technical skills. Because the needs of every dental patient are different, the functions of a dental laboratory technician are wide and varied.
Dental assistants are strongly encouraged to have current hepatitis B and tetanus vaccines, along with the usual recommendations for childhood immunization (measles, mumps, chickenpox, polio) and influenza. As a dental assistant, you'll play an essential role in supporting the patient's daily care and the administrative functions of managing a dental office. There are more than 300 accredited dental hygiene education programs at community colleges, technical colleges, dental schools and universities across the UK. With the emphasis on preventive care, dentists will need to employ more dental hygienists than ever to meet the growing demand for dental services.
Your local dental society or the local component of the National Association of Dental Laboratories will also provide resources. Dental hygiene programs may also include courses in liberal arts (e.g., English, public speaking, sociology, and psychology); basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, immunology, chemistry, microbiology, or pathology); and clinical sciences (dental hygiene, radiology, and dental materials). In the 1980s, it was customary for oral health workers and dental assistants to practice oral health care without wearing gloves, masks, or eye protection. Some states allow dental assistants to polish teeth to remove stains and plaque from enamel or to apply sealants, fluoride, or topical anesthetics.
For more information on how to become a certified dental assistant and to get a list of state dental boards, visit. While the vast majority of dental assistants are employed by dentists, some also work in other industries. Dental assistants certainly improve the effectiveness of the dentist's office and improve the quality of care. The dental assistant should wear utility gloves when cleaning work surfaces during switching between patients.
In addition, dental assistants must follow strict safety regulations to reduce the risks associated with x-ray machines.
