Health Career: Dental Assistant
Who are dental assistants and what do they do?
Dental assistants support dentists by assisting them in running their dental practice. They work as office receptionists, process lab tests and help care for patients by taking dental X-rays. They also educate patients about proper dental care and process their dental records.
How do dental assistants typically spend their workday?
As a dental assistant, you will generally work in a dentist's office, health clinic, dental school or public health agency. You may also work in an insurance agency handling business-related tasks. In a health care environment such as a dentist's office, you will work closely with patients and other dental health professionals in scheduling appointments, greeting patients, preparing and sterilizing instruments, preparing bills and managing patient accounts.
What does it take to be a good dental assistant?
If you want to help promote good mouth and jaw care and you enjoy interacting with patients and helping to run a business, you would make a great dental assistant. As a dental assistant, you should be friendly, sociable, enthusiastic, cooperative and capable. You should also type well and have good computer and organizational skills and enjoy working as part of a team.
What are some health-related jobs that are similar to that of a dental assistant?
Dental hygienist, health services administrator, medical assistant, medical records technician.
Related links and more information:
- American Dental Assistants Association
- Dental Assisting National Board, Inc.
- ADA – Training and Education Requirements