What is a Dental Assistant?
Amit Raju
Dental assistant jobs are becoming more rewarding and fascinating day by day. To know more about what is dental assistant, it is better to deal with dental assistant job description. As the name itself suggests, a dental assistant helps a dentist in his works. He works as an extra hand of a dentist and does some other menial works when the dentist is busy in treating patient.
More precisely, dental assistants perform many tasks, be it lab works, taking care of a patient or dealing with office related issues. Thus dental assistant's duties enable a dentist to concentrate more on his patients.
The duties regarding dental assisting can be divided in to two categories named traditional and extended duties. In traditional duties a dental assistant does all works that a dentist asks him to do while treating a patient. In other words a dentist requires assistance in his works which a dental assistant is supposed to provide him.
In this regard a dental assistant sterilize dental equipments and instruments. He holds the instrument and passes it to the dentist when asked to do so. He facilitates clear vision for the dentist by suctioning and retracing the tissues. Developing radiographs and making charts for the dentist also fall in the category of traditional duties. In addition to all these tasks, his traditional duties also include cleaning the floor of the lab and cabin.
The extended duties of a dental assistant vary according the local regulations dealing with dental requirements. In his extended duties a dental assistant manages things for the comfort of patients and educate them on oral care. He places orders for dental supplies and receive them in time. Giving appointments, making charts of patients, managing radiographs and office recode keeping are some of his important extended duties. Thus a dental assistant works under the supervision of a dental doctor and stays closely with him during his duty hours.
Dental assistants work in a very clean ambience and are supposed to wear eye wear, gloves and masks to protect themselves and patients also from infections. He is also supposed to follow safety guidelines while taking x-ray of a patient. Number of hours a dentist has to work varies but on an average he works for 35 to 40 hours a week. He may have to attend office on Saturday or Sunday depending on the schedule of a dentist.
So far as the qualification of a dental assistant is concerned, American Dental Association offers many courses for those who choose dental assistant as a career. After going through a training program dental assistants develop their skills during his training on job. Thus what is a dental assistant is all about training, skills and career prospect of a person who assists a dentist in works.
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