Dental Assistant Duties
Published March 5, 2012 | 
With the field of dental care growing by leaps and bounds, it is now witnessing the growth of numerous job opportunities within the field. One such job is that of a dental assistant, that has now become a lucrative career choice for many students aspiring to get medical jobs. In fact, even the latest information on the the average salary of a dental assistant suggests that it is a very great choice for those wishing to pursue a career in the world of dental care. As the title suggests, the main job of a dental assistant is to aid a dentist in carrying out treatment procedures and other related tasks. A dental assistant may work for more than one dentist, but always under the supervision of one. For those of you aspiring for a career in this field of dental care, here’s an in-depth look into the dental assistant duties.
Dental Assistant Duties and Responsibilities
Dental assistants may perform different types of duties. These include office duties, laboratory duties, and patient care. Often these duties overlap and it is not necessary that if a dental assistant has been designated one duty there is no looking beyond it. Also, the different registered dental assistant duties may vary based on state regulations, but there are some core duties that are to be performed by all dental assistants. Given below are the various dental assistant job duties.
- Among the patient care duties are included sterilizing dental instruments before every patient is treated, and preparing them to be used by the dentist.
- When a patient arrives for an appointment, a dental assistant will make the patient comfortable in the dentist’s chair and prepare her/him for the treatment.
- While the patient is undergoing treatment, a dental assistant will assist the dentist in carrying out the treatment, by handing her/him the necessary instruments and materials such as suction hoses and other such devices.
- After the treatment, a dental assistant will instruct the patient on the aftercare of the treatment including the basics of maintaining general dental health. She/he will also maintain records of the patient’s treatment procedure, the progress after treatment, and upcoming appointments and other general records.
- Dental assistants may also be required to order supplies for the purpose of treatment.
- In some cases, dental assistants will make preparations for impressions and restorations. They will process x-ray films according to instruction.
- A dental assistant may be asked to apply anesthetics to the necessary areas in the mouth for treatment, to remove excess cement after a filling has been performed, and use the necessary instruments to isolate the teeth for the purpose of treatment.
- Among the laboratory duties, a dental assistant may be asked to make temporary crowns, and to make casts after taking the required impressions.
To become a dental assistant, you will have to pursue either a certificate, a diploma or an associate’s degree in dental assisting. During 
the course period, along with enabling you to fulfill the dental assistant job description, you will also be trained to carry out administrative tasks, to handle dental radiography equipment, and to handle medical billing. The orthodontic dental assistant duties will vary slightly based on the nature of the field, but the basic dental assistant job description will remain the same.
The salary range of a dental assistant varies based on the number of years of experience. Dental assistants are paid on an hourly rate, and as they gain more experience, the rate keeps increasing. As such, this job may be performed part-time or full-time. It is important to keep in mind that while performing the various dental assistant duties, there are a number of personal skills that you should possess and that should be reflected on the resume. These include interpersonal skills, technological skills, clerical skills, and clinical skills. While most of these will be taught to you during your training period, some are inherent that can be honed as per the requirement of the job. With this information, hopefully, you have been able to decide whether or not you want to enter this field and make the most of all that it has to offer to you.
Dental Hygienist
Published March 5, 2012 | Dental hygienists take on the task of extending advice on oral health beyond their patients. They use the rostrums of symposiums on 
health and wellness to advice patients on how to select toothbrushes that are designed to prevent tooth decay and the correct way of using dental floss. The dental hygienist prepares clinical charts and conducts laboratory diagnostic tests. These professionals work alongside regular dentists and those who offer cosmetic dentistry.
Work environment:
Dental hygienists are expected to work within clean, sterile and well-lighted offices. They have to follow important health safeguards. These include proper execution of radiological procedures and the application of adequate protection, especially when using anesthesia. These professionals are expected to wear surgical glasses, masks and gloves, when dealing with patients.
Professional flexibility:
The dental hygienist enjoys a very flexible work environment. He could either choose a roster that allows him full-time or part-time employment or design one himself. This professional even enjoys the flexibility of adopting only evening or weekend schedule. There are many medical facilities that enable the dental hygienist to work for a specific number of days a week. This further enables the professional to be a part of more than one dental office or hospital facility.
Education and the available exposure:
The dental hygienist is in demand, especially if he or she is licensed from an accredited dental hygiene school. There are special licensure examinations that follow the preliminary education and training. These accreditations allow the professional to be absorbed by some of the best medical facilities in the world. At the very base, it is a recognized diploma and college entrance test score that enables an enthusiast to secure admission in a dental hygiene program. The professional is expected to have offered subjects like biology, chemistry and mathematics at degree level. Another compulsory requirement is that of at least 1 year of college. Dental hygienists have to be licensed by the State. In order to get the right kind of standing within the medical fraternity after completion of basic education, they are expected to secure accreditation from the Dental Association’s Joint Commission.
Available resources:
There are a number of resources dedicated to the cause of making information available to students striving to become dental hygienists. These resources not only list, but also make available details on the various entrance requirements, dental hygiene programs and updated communication from the Commission on Dental Accreditation. There are on and off campus programs held regularly to guide those planning on securing associate degrees and a master’s degree. The accredited workshops in dental hygiene are designed to give the professionals hands on experience on the application of latest research and clinical practice. Dental hygienists held about 167,000 jobs in the year 2006; and because multiple job holding is common in this field, the number of jobs exceeds the number of hygienists. Almost all dental hygienists functioned from the offices of dentists. A very small number worked for employment services or the offices of physicians. Dental hygienists have excellent job prospects and earn nothing below $41.60 per hour! Of course, the earnings would be subject to location, experience and contract.
How to Become a Dentist
Published March 5, 2012 | Dentistry is one of the ten most sought after careers in the United States and is also one of the high paying professions. Dentistry as a profession is said to grow by about 16 percent through to 2018, which is faster than the average of all occupations. So if you are deciding on becoming a dentist, you are on the right path, folks. For a start, students who are keen on becoming dentists should have good grades in biology, chemistry, and health. College students planning to pursue dentistry are required to give Dental Admissions Test (DAT) which help them to get admission in a good reputed college. In the following paragraphs, a dentist education requirements and job responsibilities are explained, which will help to answer your question, how to become a dentist, in a much better way.
Educational Qualification to Become a Dentist
To become a dentist, you must have a four-year doctors degree in dentistry, from an accredited college. A dentist is required to do a 2 to 4 years of internship or residency. He should also be licensed to practice, which can be acquired from the board of dental examiners of the State in which they plan to work. A dentist can specialize mainly in orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics and endodontics. Orthodontics deals with the prevention or correction of the irregularities of the teeth. Periodontics deals with diseases of the gums and other structures around the teeth. Prosthodontics deals with making teeth or dentures. Endodontics deal with the diseases of the dental pulp. You can choose your specialty, according to your interests or according to what you are good at. A salary of a dentist can also vary according to the specialization, for example orthodontists earn approximately $186,000 per annum, whereas prosthodontists earn about $169,810 per annum.
Job Description and Duties of a Dentist
A dentist should not only be familiar, but should also be able to master the standard concepts, procedures and practices of dentistry. The dentists work is often surgical, but they can also prescribe medicines to cure and treat diseases. The primary job of a dentist is to examine, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries of teeth and gums. They also remove tooth decay, fill cavities, place protective plastic sealants on teeth and straighten or replace teeth. In case of any malformations of teeth, dentist has to recommend braces or surgery to correct it. They provide instructions on brushing, flossing and the use of fluorides thus educating the patients for maintaining good dental health. He performs routine periodic checkups for any decay, dental plaque or tartar. Dentist also administers anesthetics when required and also fits bridges and takes impressions for crowns and dentures.
Some Other Abilities Required by a Dentist
If you want to know how to become a dentist, knowing some of the extra abilities required by a dentist is always useful. Dentist should be apt in diagnostic and manual skills. He also requires a good visual memory, excellent skills and judgment. He must be able to make quick, coordinated movements of both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects with scientific ability. Good business sense, self-discipline, and good communication skills will also help self employed dentists go a long way.
Work Environment
This discussion on how to become a dentist, will be incomplete without understanding the work environment of the profession. Dentists are known to work long and hard, some of them work up to 45 hours a week. Some senior dentists employed by hospitals and clinics may be on call. Government agencies usually have regular work timings, while those who are just starting out, have to work for more hours. A dentist can continue to work part-time even after retirement. A large number of dentists retire every year, which provides better opportunity for new graduates from, dental schools. Dentists can also work as administrators or researchers in dental schools or as full-time or part-time teachers.
Some Tips For Graduates
Dentists looking for jobs should apply directly to dental clinics, hospitals and military services. Searching for contacts and networking with members of dental associations can also help in getting jobs. Military services also provide a good opportunity to travel and practice dentistry. Before setting up a clinic the dentist should take into account the potential to gain business in a certain locality. He can also check with dental societies, professional practice brokers, and other local organizations to help identify the right opportunity.