Things to Know About Dental Assistants: What They Do, and How to Become One

Nov 26, 2021 | Dental Information

Is it your dream to work in the dental field? Statistics show that many people change careers at least six times in their life. This is usually because they feel like their job is not fulfilling or satisfying enough. Pursuing a career in dental assisting can give you the work-life that you are looking for, and you can gain deep satisfaction from knowing you are leaving a positive impact on other people’s lives.

You can even enroll in dental assisting classes on the evenings and weekends so you can stay at your current job until you are ready to make the switch. Once you graduate from dental assistant school, you will continue your path into a sustainable field of work.

Important Things to Know About Being a Dental Assistant

Once you decide to make the change towards a career in dentistry, you should first research all of the necessary education and certification requirements needed. Dental assistants are highly qualified professionals that make a huge difference on the dental team. Dental assistants conduct a wide variety of tasks, from taking care of patients to the office, to laboratory duties. Some of their primary responsibilities include:

  • Assisting the dentist for a variety of treatments and procedures
  • Taking and developing dental x-rays
  • Asking about the patient’s medical history and taking their blood pressure and pulse
  • Helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after their dental treatment
  • Giving patients instructions about oral care following their surgery or other dental treatment procedures like the placement of a restoration and more

If you want to undertake a flexible school and work schedule, great pay and great opportunities, your next step is to find a good dental assisting school. A school will give you hands-on learning; however, if you have a busy schedule, you can also choose to go with an online learning platform.

An online dental assistant training course can be a convenient option. You can do it virtually any time you like and anywhere you need to do it from. If you know you have an unpredictable schedule, then an online course could be the perfect option. Online classes also tend to be cheaper than in-person classes because there are no live instructors, space, tools, or lab materials necessary. Everything is digitally found online.

An in-person class will give you the opportunity for enriching interactions, especially when it comes to hands-on learning and gaining new skills. Your classmates will be able to encourage you, and they can also keep you more engaged in class. One of the most effective ways of learning new things is through doing them. Depending on the school, you can use the latest technology in a real dental office environment. You will also get the opportunity to work on a one-on-one basis with your instructors and classmates. This can give you a better opportunity to learn.

We hope that you have found this information helpful as you begin an exciting new journey to a career in dentistry.