The Working Conditions of a Dental Assistant

Dental assistants gives instruments to the dentist as needed during procedures
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Dental assistants gives instruments to the dentist as needed during procedures

It takes more than one dentist to keep a dental office humming. Hygienists, receptionists, office managers and dental assistants are also there to help patients take care of their pearly whites. Of these professionals, the dental assistant works closest to the dentist.

Office Setting

Dental assistants work in a medical office setting usually populated with soft lighting and mood music to calm sometime-jittery patients. They move around with the dentist from patient to patient, and handle other tasks in the reception area. Smaller practices may have individual patient rooms, while others may feature dividers between the patient areas. As with many healthcare jobs, dental assisting is not for the squeamish. Assistants must be comfortable dealing with saliva and blood.

Work Day

A dental assistant spends most of the day on her feet. Assistants prepare the patient area by laying out the supplies for the dentist. They also sterilize instruments in between procedures. While dentists may get the option of sliding around on a stool, dental assistants usually stand by ready to assist with suction, water or the occasional patient face wipe. When they are not assisting the dentist, they are walking patients into the X-ray room or guiding patients to waiting chairs. In addition to assisting, dental assistants in some states apply fluoride and sealants, and polish teeth.

Patient Services

On a typical day, dental assistants spend time calming crying youngsters and easing the stress of nervous adults. Some patients may not fully understand what they are being told to do, so the assistant must communicate clearly. Good communication skills are also necessary to show patients how to properly brush and floss.

Paperwork

In some offices, the dental assistant handles filing and billing with patients and insurance companies. They may even follow up with patients to ask about unpaid invoices. In small offices, dental assistants may handle patient and staff scheduling. At the conclusion of a procedure, the dental assistant makes updates to the patient’s chart and computer records.

2016 Salary Information for Dental Assistants

Dental assistants earned a median annual salary of $36,940 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, dental assistants earned a 25th percentile salary of $30,410, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $45,170, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 332,000 people were employed in the U.S. as dental assistants.

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