What is a dental assistant? These individuals are indispensable parts of a dentist practice. They perform roles that are far more hands on than most typical dentists. Consider them to be the dental apprentice, learning the tricks of the trade while they work their way towards being fully fledged dentists. Almost all dentists today have been dental assistants in the past. It’s a common part of their career trajectory. However, what exactly are the job functions of a dental assistant? Follow along for a quick overview of who these people are and what exactly it is that they do to keep your teeth healthy, shinning and white.
Most often when people visit a dentist they are taken care of by a dental assistant. This isn’t to say that a dental assistant is less qualified than a dentist and has to do the so called “grunt work” of a dental practice. Far from it. A dental assistant handles a lot of the day to day functions of dental work because they are cutting their teeth, so to speak, on the day in and day out routine of operating within a dental practice.
What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
For instance, a dental assistant duties will usually include being the first person to interact with a patient once they have been seated. A dental assistant perform many of the initial examinations and often speaks with the patient, one on one, about any potential problems that they may be having with their teeth. While this may depend on the size of the dental practice you visit, a dental assistant will perform most of the inspections and procedures that a regular dentist performs. If you frequent a dental practice that is small, the odds are you’ll likely see the head dentist every visit. However, if you opt for a larger practice, you’ll likely interact with dental assistants far more than you will with the regular dentist. Very often the head dentist will only meet with you after a dental assistant has inspected your teeth. Consider him to be the figurehead, having final say on any prescribed treatments, but largely operating in the background.
Becoming a dental assistant is very similar to becoming a dentist. The schooling and education path is identical. Dental assistants are usually fresh out of dental school, having completed school or near the end of their schooling. Usually a position at a dental clinic for a dental assistant is part of the final push towards graduation. To become a dental assistant requires having an undergraduate degree that is geared towards dentistry, typically having a strong focus in biology and chemistry. Don’t look on the dental assistant disparagingly. They are the workhorses of the dental industry. They are the dentists in training. The hardworking apprentices who get their hands dirty every day in hopes of one day having their own dental practice.