What is Dental Assisting?

Students in the Dental Assisting program learn how to properly aid dentists and dental hygienists. During the course of the program, they will learn the proper techniques that go into every aspect of assisting in a dental office, from taking x-rays to scheduling appointments. To ensure that students are trained as accurately as possible, they practice on modern dental equipment and become familiar with tools common to the profession. Other tasks assigned in this program include learning proper sterilization, instrument transferal, infection control, and preventative healthcare techniques; and assisting with basic dental procedures. While students emerge from the Dental Assisting program fully equipped to work as a dental assistant, further education is required before the student can achieve other positions in the field.

Is it for You?

Successful students in this program will typically like staying busy and interacting with others on a daily basis. Since these positions require a great deal of patient-assistant interaction, dental assistants can expect to communicate regularly, either in person or over the phone, when scheduling appointments or guiding patients who are present for appointments. Dental assistants also spend much of their time going between standing and sitting, depending on the situation, and they typically work in well-cooled and heated facilities and usually for 40 hours a week. They can also expect to do some light lifting of office supplies, dental instruments, and other similar items. Additionally, the following skills are necessary for professionals in this field:

• Good eye and finger coordination

• Good vision, either naturally or with correction, including good color vision

• The ability to work in an often fast-paced environment

• The ability to follow direction and perform tasks as needed

• Strong interpersonal communication skills

• Good organizational and multitasking capabilities

 What's Next?