You’re looking to pursue a career as a dental assistant, how do you know if becoming a dental assistant is for you?
Dental assistants are knowledgeable individuals who contribute an important role to the dental industry. A dental assistant performs key tasks to help the dental visit run smooth. Although certain tasks may differ from each employer, there are common tasks that remain the same everywhere. If you have always wanted to step into a world of patient care and working alongside with dentists, becoming a dental assistant could be for you!
Being a dental assistant is a great job to have. Not only is it rewarding, but it is an always in-demand job meaning that there will always be positions. If you have always wanted to break through the dental field, this is a fantastic way to do so. Once you have your foot in the door, possibilities are quite endless. Other dental field roles include; office workers, clinic managers, research associates, dental sales representatives, dental hygienists, dentists and more.
Whether you have just graduated from the dental assistant program or are looking for information about the dental assistant program, there are other key factors to remember when considering dental assistance as a career. What exactly does a dental assistant do?
- Assist the dentist and dental hygienist in variety of procedures
- Take and develop dental radiographs
- Communicate with patient about medical history
- Informing patient of proper oral care
- Performing office management tasks
- Communicating with third party members such as sales representatives
Another important factor to remember in studying the Dental Assistant program, is that there are two levels. There is Level 1 and Level 2, with Level 2 obviously being a more advanced skillset. Trillium College’s Dental Assistant program certifies both and is approved by the National Dental Assisting Examination Board (NDAEB), an exam required to pass to be 100% certified.
So, are you ready to become a dental assistant? Be prepared to:
- Have a lot of availability
- Work under pressure
- Manage multi-tasking
- Step out of your comfort zone
- Turn into a sponge – absorb everything you learn
- Interact a whole lot with patients
- Mastering organization skills
- Change lives
If you’ve made it this far and feel excited about the dental industry, follow your calling. You will never know unless you try! Becoming a dental assistant is a rewarding career. You have the ability to make the world a better place, one smile at a time.
