From the article: Dental Assistant: Career Information
When choosing a career, it is helpful to get information about it from those who actually work in the occupation one is considering. Please share information about your career as a dental assistant so that those thinking of entering this field can make an informed decision.
- Describe what you do as a dental assistant?
- What do you like about being a dental assistant? What don't you like about it?
- With the proper training, how easy or difficult is it for someone to get an entry level job as a dental assistant?
- Are you happy you became a dental assistant? Why or why not?
PASSION AS DENTAL ASSISTANT
- I have been in the dental profession since 1974. I fell into the profession when applying for a surgical assistant position for a periodontist in 1974 and my passion for the profession began. I love the challenge of working side by side with the dentist, or oral surgeon. There are more positions for a dental assistant beside just sitting chairside. I have learned expanded functions at the Naval Dental Clinic where I have been employed since 1987. I have had the opportunities to become manager of the appointment desk, to manager of Infection control for our clinic. I have been mentor to new dental technicians just coming into the profession, have taught young sailors and marines the importance of dental hygiene. I have fulfilled many positions and loved every minute of what I do. I believe in having a passion for what profession or job you chose in life, it makes for a happy environment and person as a whole. Never stop educating yourself as an assistant. Have Passion.
- —Guest Sheila Bolton, LPN, CDA
CDA/ Clinical Coordinator
- i have been a dental assistant for almost 7 years. i enjoy my job. i assist in various procedures including endo, restorative, oral surgery and pediatric dentistry. i also participate in oral sedation as well as iv sedation. i love the feeling of pleasing patients. i anticipate the end result of patients that enter with many carious lesions and exit caries free. The dental assistant is the person that normally calms and soothes the nervous patients in the clinical area. Dental assistants are the heart beat of many dental practices. we set the flow of the floor from day to day. I feel a dentist can only be as good as the person sitting across from him. if your assistant knows her job, the standard of care is excellent.
- —Guest NaKesha
EFDA DENTAL ASSISTANT
- I work full time as a dental asst for a office in Oregon . I got my training in Washington at Bates Tech College in 2000. I love my job as a dental asst. I love all the people you meet. Most are very thankful for the treatment you give them. A lot of patients have real dental fear and you need to take time to talk to them and help them get over some of it. If you watch and learn what your doctor likes he or she will not even have to ask you for an instrument. It feels real good to know your job that good. It's great to see a patient that had gross cavities and would not smile get their teeth fixed or get dentures and smile with confidence. I've had patients come back and say I got a job because of how good I feel about myself. Now that makes being a dental asst a good job to me.
- —Guest NATASHA
