Job Description: Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant Job Duties | Dental Assistant Schools | Dental Assistant Salary | Dental Assistant Pros and Cons

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES OF A DENTAL ASSISTANT

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The role of a dental assistant is a diversified and flexible one. A dental assistant is employed in a dental office, either in a private clinic or public healthcare dental facility.

Working under the supervision of a dentist, the job duties and responsibilities of a dental assistant will include patient care, laboratory functions and administrative duties. For the dental assistant position, the person requires a range of skills that include clinical, technological, interpersonal and clerical skills.

Although the job duties of a dental assistant vary from state to state, the most common duties and responsibilities remain the same in most areas. Listed below are some of those.

What Are The Job Duties Of A Dental Assistant

· As part of the role of a dental assistant, the person will need to assist the dentist in providing pre-operative and post-operative care for patients
· Prepare instruments needed for a dental procedure
· Disinfect and sterilize instruments after use in a dental procedure
· Set up equipment and materials in accordance with the dentist’s instructions
· Prepare patients for treatment by explaining the procedure to be performed, and make sure the patient sits comfortably in the dental chair
· Assist the dentist in all procedures performed on patients by working in perfect synchronization with the dentist, handing instruments and materials to the dentist as needed
· Assist with dental procedures performed on patients to keep the patient’s mouth clean and dry using a suction hose and sponges
· Take X-rays of patients’ teeth as directed by the dentist
· Apply topical anesthesia to the patient’s mouth
· Laboratory duties will include preparation of dental materials including cements, composites, amalgams and impression materials used in making casts of patients’ teeth and mouths; making temporary crowns; cleaning and polishing dental appliances that are removable
· Dental charting duties
· Application of topical fluoride treatments
· Take impressions and bite registrations
· Place dental dams on teeth to isolate them for treatment
· Dental clinic and laboratory - remove excess cement from fillings, perform suture removal, section of orthodontic bands application of pit and fissure sealants; application and removal of periodontal dressings and orthodontic ligature ties
· Patient care - provision of post-operative instructions to patients for care and treatment at home and provision of advice to patients on maintaining oral hygiene
· Office duties - maintain patient records, make appointments for patients, receive patients, handle billings and receive payments, fill out insurance claims, send out bills, handle patient queries and perform routine office tasks.
· Inventory control management – maintain inventory lists of clinical, laboratory and office supplies; order supplies, receive and store supplies
· Manage infection control procedures to meet OSHA, CDC and ADA standards

What Type of Degree is Needed To Be A Dental Assistant

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are no formal education requirements for anyone who chooses to become a dental assistant. Some people have high school diplomas and learn on the job. There are in excess of 250 dental assistant programs offering comprehensive career training in this area. The dental assistant schools offering the programs have been approved by the U.S. Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).

Dental assistant schools like junior colleges, trade schools, technical institutes, community colleges and the Armed Forces across the country offer dental assistant programs. Most dental assistant programs take one year to complete. All programs have a minimum requirement, a high school diploma or equivalent. Some dental assistant programs may require science and/or computer related courses for admission to a program. For career progression, a dental assistant will need to obtain certification or a license. This will enable a dental assistant to perform advanced functions and complete radiological procedures.

Two year dental assistant programs are offered by junior colleges and community colleges, leading to an associate degree. There are dental assistant courses that range from four to six months in duration. These programs are not accredited by CODA.

A dental assistant, who has completed one of the dental assistant programs and has work experience, may be required to undergo a period of on-the-job training. Dentists differ in their professional styles and each organization will have its own performance standards. Induction into the clinic or dental department in a hospital to learn office specific information may be required.

Dental Assistant Certification

The Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) offered by the Dental Assisting National Board has official recognition in 38 states in America at the present time. Applicants to the dental assistant course need to have completed one of the CODA accredited dental assistant programs. Alternatively, a dental assistant should have 3,500 hours (two years full time courses or four years part time) of assisting practice within the recent two to four year span. A dental assistant aspiring to the CDA certification program should have CPR certification and pass the CDA exam. CDA exams consist of three parts: safety and infection control; general chair-side assisting and radiation heath. Dental assistants, who are CDA qualified, will need to renew the certification annually by earning 12 continuing education credits.

Dental Assisting Certificate programs last one year and offer education with a focus on providing the student with the skills and knowledge needed to perform the duties of a dental assistant. Clinical support services, office duties and basic laboratory procedures are generally covered in the dental assistant certificate courses. The courses are structured to provide a dental assistant with theoretical classroom instruction, clinical experience and applied skills practice in a laboratory.

Associate of Science degree in dental assisting offers a well rounded education that combines specific dental assistant coursework with general education. The dental assistant degree courses are two year study programs and also include instruction in dental radiography, dental anatomy, infection control and dental materials.

Dental Assistant Licensure

There are some states in the country that permit a dental assistant to perform duties as assigned by a dentist. In other states, however, licensure or registration is needed to be able to perform certain dental assistant duties. Though the requirements for licensure vary by state, completion of an accredited post-secondary dental assistant program may be required. To qualify for licensure, a student will need to pass written and/or practical exams. Maintaining licensure is done by earning continuing education at state specified intervals. Students are advised to contact the State board directly for specific requirements for licensure.

What Is The Salary Of A Dental Assistant

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has forecast a very positive outlook for the dental assistant role in the job market. Predicted rise in employment figures is anticipate at higher than normal growth and is expected to exceed the 400,000 mark by the year 2018. Growth in the dental assistant job market has been predicted to grow by 36 percent by 2018.

The average hourly rate for a dental assistant ranges between $10 and $28; the hourly overtime rate for a dental assistant ranges between $11 and $28. National annualized data shows that the bonus for a dental assistant ranges between $100 and $2000 approximately. Overall annual pay scales range between $20,200 and $40,200 for a dental assistant.

Dental Assistant Wages

The median annual wage for a dental assistant in 2008 was $32,380 with over 50 percent of the people employed in this field earning between $26,980 and $38,960. At the high end of the pay scale, a dental assistant is capable of earning in excess of $45,000 a year. Benefits will vary by practice setting and other factors like full or part time employment.

(Figures are approximate and have been rounded off to the nearest full number)

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Being A Dental Assistant

In every job there are advantages and disadvantages; the same holds good for becoming a dental assistant. The advantages include:

· Career options for a dental assistant are very good; a dental assistant can work in a private dental office, hospital or dental clinic, providing support to pediatric dentists, general dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists and endodontists. A dental assistant can find work in non-medical office settings like dental suppliers, dental manufacturers, public health office, educational institutions, insurance companies and non-profit organizations.
· The field of medical assisting is one of the fast growing in the U.S. as is the healthcare industry. Recession or a booming economy, the need for medical care never stops.
· Basic requirements for entering dental assistant schools are minimal, making entry easy for students who are keen in a career in dentistry.

The downside to becoming a dental assistant includes:

· Some of the dental assistant programs like the CDA require recertification annually, which can become tedious
· Career progression can be limited if a dental assistant chooses not to pursue advanced education