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Tips For Dental Assistants Entering The Workforce

Tips For Dental Assistants Entering The Workforce

Dental assistants play a crucial role in the dental office, handling everything from appointment scheduling and X-ray procedures to supporting dentists during both standard and specialized treatments. In this article, we’ll share some tips to help people who are new to the dental assisting field get up to speed in their new roles, as well as explain how those considering career paths or looking for a career change can become qualified to work as dental assistants.

Essential Skills for Dental Assisting Jobs

Dental assisting jobs have clinical, administrative, and social dimensions. Those who excel in this profession will be strong in all three aspects.

The clinical side of working as a dental assistant will frequently involve directly supporting the dentist in performing procedures. To succeed in this capacity, dental assistants need strong communication and teamwork skills, and to dedicate themselves to becoming thoroughly familiar with common procedures so that they can anticipate the dentist’s needs and handle their tasks without constant instruction.

The administrative dimension of the dental assisting profession requires organizational and time-management skills and good attention to detail. You may be called upon to handle last-minute schedule changes or unexpected patient requirements. You’ll be accessing and updating patient records and processing bills and insurance claims. Small, careless mistakes in these areas can lead to major complications for the dental practice.

Finally, the social aspect of working as a dental assistant requires an ability to help put patients at ease. Patients often have a high degree of anxiety about going to the dentist. Empathy and a friendly face can go a long way towards helping nervous patients relax.

How to Get Dental Assisting Training

Think that you have what it takes to succeed in the clinical, administrative, and social facets of a dental assisting job? It’s a smart career choice, offering the advantages of attainable educational requirements. Here’s some ways to become a dental assistant.

  1. Enroll in a training program: You can start with a dental assistant training program at a reputable institution like PCI Health Training Center. PCI’s mission is to help people get the skills they need for stable careers in healthcare, regardless of their prior higher education, work experience, ethnicity, or background. Training in this program will help to give you all of the knowledge and skills you need to prepare you to enter into this field.
  2. Gain hands-on experience: The PCI dental assisting program includes a clinical externship which will allow you to practice your skills in a real dental office environment.
  3. Obtain certifications: Professionals who want to work as dental assistants will need state-approved certifications for radiography and infection control among other competencies. Knowing your state’s work requirements allows you to confirm that you fulfill everything needed to practice lawfully within your area.
  4. Build a professional resume: Include your educational background together with your externship training in your resume and your professional skills.

Get the Skills You Need in the PCI Dental Assisting Program

The Dental Assisting program at PCI Health Training Center is a great way to start developing the skills and knowledge you’ll need to enter the workforce as a dental assistant. Enroll today or contact us for more information.