Main function of a dental assistant is to help the dentist in his or her work. This way the professional is able to provide complete and efficient treatment to the patient. The basic task of a dental assistant is to do menial jobs at the behest of the dentist. Hence he or she is the doctors extra hand.
Never the less dental assisting is a professional job in itself and requires complete training to master the job. The duties that govern the dental assisting work are often regulated by local governing bodies.
Duties of dental assistance
Pre-assessing the need of ensuing treatment of the patient. Setting up instruments and handling over whence required and retrieving them. Managing dental equipment.
Preparing and mixing dental materials for fixing, cementing and applying sealants etc.
Sterilizing instruments and equipments on regular basis.
Handling documentation, charts and developing and exposing radiographs.
In office bleaching and fabrication bleaching trays.
The dental assistant may have to perform other duties as well that could include dental lab work and modeling. He or she has to maintain appointment schedules keep records and deliver post treatment instructions.
The work may require making crowns and other filling works as well.
In many states in USA dental assistant can work with a degree but some states have made a license or registration imperative. Training in dental assisting profession is a must. There are many training programs run by professional health education schools or institutes. Joining this program and completing the course successfully offers student a career in the allied health field.
The programs are usually of on year of eleven months on successful completion a certification or diploma is awarded. There are extended programs as well that lead to an associate degree. To find admission in health schools for dental assisting there may be some minimum educational requirement.
The programs are accredited by Commission on Dental Accreditation of ADA which number about two hundred in USA. After completion of the program CDA examination by Dental Assisting National Board or DANB must be given for the certification.
There is financial aid programs where in health schools assist in getting student loans. Many health schools encourage International students to study in their institutes.
