DENTAL ASSISTING Dental assistant training

By Learnzat.com The dental assistant plays an important role as a link between the patient and the dentist before, during, and after treatment.  They perform a multitude of patient care, laboratory and office duties. According to the US Department of Labor most dental assistants are trained on the job.  For those trained in the classroom, that training takes one year or less to complete. With just a high school diploma, an energetic person can obtain employment as a dental assistant, under an on-the-job training arrangement.  The rest of that education can be obtained from books, video presentations, and work experience.  They work side by side with dentists while they examine and treat patients. They make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, collect their dental records and medical history and prepare them for treatment.   Assistants pass instruments and materials to dentists and also sterilize equipment, prepare trays of dental tools for procedures, and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care. Most assistants prepare materials for impressions and restorations, take x-rays, and process x-ray film as instructed by a dentist. Most states regulate the tasks that dental assistants are allowed to perform. A license may be required, and may involve passing a written or practical examination. These states usually require some amount of continuing education to maintain that license or registration.  A few states allow dental assistants to perform any function given to them by the dentist. Dental assistants can advance by becoming office managers, dental-assisting instructors, or product sales representatives.  Some go back to school to become dental hygienists. For many, this entry-level occupation provides basic training and experience and serves as a way to more highly skilled and higher paying jobs. According to the US Department of Labor, the median hourly pay for dental assistants was $13.10 in 2002. The middle 50 percent received pay between $10.35 and $16.20 an hour. The lowest 10 percent was paid less than $8.45, and the highest 10 percent received pay of more than $19.41 an hour.  Job prospects in dental assisting are very good. It is estimated that dental assisting will be one of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2012.

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