Training dental assistant job12/25/2023 High school students interested in a career as a dental assistant should take courses in anatomy, biology, and chemistry. These programs also include supervised practical experience. Students learn about teeth, gums, jaws, and other areas that dentists work on and the instruments that dentists use. The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), part of the American Dental Association, accredits about 250 dental assisting training programs.Īccredited programs include classroom and laboratory work. Programs that last 2 years are less common and lead to an associate’s degree. Many dental assisting programs take about 1 year to complete and lead to a certificate or diploma. Most programs are offered by community colleges, although they also may be offered by vocational or technical schools. Some states require dental assistants to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam. In other states, there are no formal educational requirements, and dental assistants learn through on-the-job training. Some states require assistants to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam. Here are several possible paths to becoming a dental assistant. Some states let dental assistants polish teeth to remove stains and plaque from the enamel or apply sealants, fluoride, or topical anesthetic. They may prepare materials for dental impressions or temporary crowns.Įach state regulates the scope of practice for dental assistants. Afterward, dental assistants ensure that the images are clear.Īssistants who perform lab tasks, such as taking impressions of a patient’s teeth, work under the direction of a dentist. They place a protective apron over patients’ chest and lap, position the x-ray machine, place the x-ray sensor or film in patients’ mouths, and take the x rays. Some dental assistants are specially trained to take x rays of teeth and the surrounding areas. Dental assistants also may document the procedure that is done and schedule followup appointments. Other tasks include preparing the treatment room and making sure that instruments and equipment are sterile. They help dentists during a procedure by passing instruments and holding equipment such as suction hoses, matrix bands, and dental curing lights. For example, dental assistants might take a patient’s medical history, blood pressure, and pulse before a procedure explain what will be done and talk to patients about oral care. Work with patients on billing and paymentĭental assistants often spend much of their day working closely with patients and dentists.Process x rays and complete lab tasks, under the direction of a dentist.Instruct patients in proper oral hygiene.Dry patients’ mouths using suction hoses and other equipment.Hand instruments to dentists during procedures.Prepare patients and the work area for treatments and procedures.Ensure that patients are comfortable in the dental chair.Dutiesĭental assistants typically do the following: Their duties vary by state and by the dentists’ offices in which they work. Start anytime.Dental assistants have many tasks, including patient care, recordkeeping, and appointment scheduling. Her career includes general dentistry, as well as specialty practices of periodontics, endodontics, pedodontics, and orthodontics. In addition to practicing clinical hygiene, she has also worked in dental office administration and treatment coordination. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in dental hygiene and holds Registered Dental Assistant and Registered Dental Hygienist credentials. Computerized Restorative Systems and Removable ProsthodonticsĬindy Lamkin has been employed in the dental field for over 20 years.Composite Procedures and Laboratory Materials.Dental Emergency Procedures and Amalgam Restorations.Introduction to Dentrix Learning Software (Optional).
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