A dental assistant refers to a person who assists the dentist in his/her job. They work under dentists and aid them in patient care. They provide the doctor with X-ray sheets, maintain patient records, and do other miscellaneous work. Their roles and pay scale differ from one state to another and from one dentist to another. As the field of dentistry is growing in popularity, there are various courses available to one.
Job roles and responsibilities of dental assistant
An assistant to a dentist performs various duties and roles.
- Pre-check-up
An assistant performs the pre-check-up by noting the vital signs and preparing patients for dental procedures. - Oral examination
A dental assistant helps in the oral examination. In the case of a trained assistant, s/he can perform oral tests. - Prepare set-ups
The assistant prepares the dental chair, tray, and all the other required instruments in advance. - Transfers instruments
S/he transfers the instruments to the doctor as and when required, such as crowns, tooth extractions, fillings, etc. - Takes X-rays
The assistant performs X-rays of the mouth if required. - Patient care
S/he provides the patient with preventive measures for post-operation. And educates the patient on tooth care. - Keeping records
S/he also maintains the records of every patient and provides them to the dentist whenever necessary. - Schedules appointments
S/he schedules appointments for the patients at the doctor’s convenience. - Billing and payment
S/he deals with billing and payment after the examination by calculating the total cost. - Dental emergencies
In case there is a dental emergency and a doctor is not available, the dental assistant deals with the incoming patient.
Salary of dental assistant
The salary of dental assistants is a complex factor. How much do they earn? A simple answer would be about $19.93 to $26 per hour. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the pay ranged from $25,000 to $60,000. However, this range gets affected by various factors.
- Education
Every degree and diploma has its own value. The education level and type of education play a significant role in determining the dental assistant’s salary. - Experience
A dental assistant who is experienced will gradually earn more as s/he proceeds in his career. - Certifications
Certifications add an edge to one’s resume and lead to better opportunities. For example, an EFDA certification increases the chances of getting a higher salary. - Location
Different states have different pay scales for dental assistants. Choosing the right location will get one a higher income. - Type of work
Clinics hire dental assistants for various kinds of jobs. Someone hired for complex tasks of the job is generally paid more.
Skills required for dental assistant
There are some primary and secondary dental assistant skills that every assistant must master.
- Management of the clinic
One should be able to maintain records and dental instruments and take X-rays. - Communication skills
One should be friendly and helpful while communicating with patients regarding dental problems. - Agility
It is important to be swift with the job and assist the doctor with precise details. - Detail-oriented
One should be able to take care of the minute details such as hygiene, after-care, infection control, etc. - Organizational skills
One should be able to manage the office well, including records and payments.
