Are you interested in pursuing a career as a dental assistant and what to know what a typical dental assistant job description looks like? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants held more than 270,000 jobs in 2009. This total is expected to increase at a faster rate than the average for all occupations through 2014. Strong job prospects really do make pursuing a career as a dental assistant appealing to many. If you do pursue a career as a dental assistant, you must be prepared to have many responsibilities that can vary on a daily basis depending on the needs of the dentist and dental office Let’s take a look at just exactly what you can expect to be doing as a dental assistant.
A standard dental assistant job description means you can expect to have a packed day at work. One of the most important responsibilities you will have as a dental assistant is accommodating the needs of patients. Patients may have questions for you and it is expected that you thoroughly address these questions, as the dentist may be busy with other patients. You will be called on to prepare patients for dental procedures. During these procedures, a dental assistant is expected to aid the dentist by providing the necessary tools and supplies to complete the procedure. A dental assistant will also be responsible for helping patients schedule future appointments. Dental cleanings, for example, can be scheduled several months in advance. A dental assistant should also be able to convey important information to patients pertaining to oral health. While the dentist will analyze patient x-rays, a dental assistant can take the x-ray.
Pursuing a career as a dental assistant can be an excellent choice, as people require dental care regardless of economic circumstances. As a dental assistant, you will be required to juggle a number of tasks simultaneously. The most important responsibility of a dental assistant is to ensure that patients are comfortable and treated properly with respect. It is very important to greet patients and answer their questions. A dental assistant should strive to educate patients about oral health. You can also expect some very technical responsibilities with a dental assistant job, including aiding the dentist during procedures and taking x-rays. Overall, these duties are typical across nearly any dental assistant job description.