Do Dental Assistants Clean Teeth?

The title says it all: Dental Assistants clean teeth, but more than just today. Dental Assistants perform a number of duties in the dental industry, including making and setting up dental appointments, taking care of patients who cannot look after themselves properly, preparing and filling orders, and helping the dentist during root canal treatments, crowns and fillings. A few years ago, there were very few medical careers that required so much hands on training. Today, the field is much different. To be a Dental Assistant, one must be willing to work in close collaboration with the dentist.

It is never easy to become a Dental Assistant. In fact, some medical students find that it takes years to get the hands on experience that they need to embark on the career of a lifetime. During their studies, students will have to complete extensive courses that prepare them to read medical reports, learn about x-rays and how to utilize them, learn how to design and create dental charts, learn about the benefits of wearing sterile gloves and a mask, as well as know how to use a stethoscope. The student then has to go through rigorous training programs that give them the knowledge they need to be able to perform dental assisting tasks.

Dental Assistants need to be able to follow directions. This may be a bit of a challenge because it can be difficult to know where to start or how to proceed when you are unsure about something. Dental Assistants are taught how to perform basic procedures like taking x-rays and making them in the correct format. They are also taught how to make a proper face-to-face contact with patients, as well as how to give injections and sutures. All Dental Assistants must know how to read the patient's chart before administering treatments, as well as how to take the necessary measurements for a particular procedure.

Dental Assistants work alongside Dental Hygienists, which are the professionals who do all the planning and preparation of oral surgery. Dental Hygienists are responsible for doing all the preparation needed before a patient goes into surgery. They prepare the patient's mouth for surgery by removing all foreign matter, which makes it easier for the oral surgeon to work in. They also check the patient's mouth for sutures, possible infections and any fractures. A Dental Assistant's job is to assist the hygienist in these daily activities. If there is an emergency during the oral surgery, a dental assistant's assistant will usually be the first one on the scene.

People who are interested in pursuing a career choice such as a Dental Assistant can find great job opportunities in both the public and private sectors. In the private sector, Dental Assistants can find jobs in dentist offices, clinics and hospitals. Public sectors that employ dental assistants include dental schools, private hospitals and the government. For people who have a higher education, a career choice such as dental assisting can be made a great career choice.

A career choice such as this requires a person to have excellent oral health. They must be able to keep their mouth and teeth clean at all times. Dentists like to see these characteristics in their dental assistants because it shows that they take their jobs seriously. A career choice such as this will make someone feel fulfilled from day one.