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Job Description
- Learning about the patient’s medical history, problems, and current health
- Recording patient vitals like resting pulse rate and blood pressure
- Taking X-rays and developing the results
- Preparing and sterilizing the equipment required for each procedure
- Making patients feel comfortable before and during the procedure
- Setting up appointments and follow-up checks
- Instructing the patient on post-op care and treatment
- Taking impressions or molds of teeth
- Assisting the dentist throughout procedures to keep the mouth clear
- Handing the dentist different tools and using equipment to keep the patient comfortable
- Teaching hygiene best practices to children and adults
- Working with a variety of patients from different income levels, age, and hygienic history
Job Requirements
- Visual Knowledge – The ability to distinguish normal from abnormal spots in the mouth and effects on procedures.
- Sterilization Knowledge – Dental assistants need to reduce the risk of infection by sterilizing all tools used on the patient.
- X-Rays – The dental assistant needs to know how to take and process X-rays while keeping the patient calm and comfortable.
- Dental Impressions – The dental assistant should be able to take impressions for braces or case studies.
- Hand-eye coordination – Without bumping the dentist, the assistant should be able to pick up and hand over tools throughout the procedure.
- Communication – Speaking clearly to the dentist and the patient is crucial for both parties to understand the risks of the procedures and the specific needs of the patient.
- Listening – Dental assistants should be able to listen to their patients’ problems or feedback from the dentist and understand what should be done.
- Interpersonal skills – Smart dental assistants will be able to comfort patients and make them feel less nervous in the dentist’s chair with strong relationship-building skills.
- Organization – Dental assistants need to be organized and should be able to handle administrative tasks like setting up appointments and printing reminder notices.
- Office programs – A basic understanding of Microsoft Office and specific software for scheduling and processing medical records is a must for dental assistants.
