What is Dental Assisting?
A dental assistant’s job depends on each individual office setting. The work can be specific to chair side assisting of the dentist to all aspects of running the office. Dental assisting can also include teaching dental assisting courses, working for dental insurance companies or marketing dental products.PreparationThe dental assistant sterilizes equipment and disinfects the patient area. They set up the work tray with material and equipment, based on the dentist’s instructions. When the dentist is working with the patient, the assistant prepares materials as needed.Chair Side AssistanceWearing eye protection, facial mask and gloves, a dental assistant aids the dentist by passing needed materials and instruments and uses equipment to maintain a dry and clear work environment in the patient’s mouth.X-raysA dental assistant takes X-rays and then processes them. They follow X-ray safety measures for the patient and for themselves.ExtrasAppliances that can be removed from the mouth can be
A dental assistant takes on significant responsibility as a member of the dental healthcare team, as they greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of qauliaty oral health care. The duties of a dental assistant are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental office. Some specific tasks dental assistants may perform include: • assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures, • taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays), • coronal polish, • asking about the patient’s medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse, • serving as an infection control officer, • developing infection control protocol and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment, • helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment, • providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling), • teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene s
