Dental Assistant News & Info

5 Tips Patients Can Use to Relax During A Dental Office Visit

2010-03-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

Let's face it - not everyone views a dental visit as a positive experience. In fact, some people are downright terrified to go to their appointment. Sitting in the dentist chair can only increase their anxiety and stress. Aside from letting their dentist know about their fears, here are some tips they can employ to make their visit more comfortable:

1. Keep their eyes open - By focusing on a TV or pictures on the wall, they can distract themselves from any discomfort or pain.

2. Try to breathe evenly - This may be hard with dental instruments in their mouth, but breathing in a steady manner can lower the patients' anxiety level.

3. Block out noise with an iPod - Listening to their favorite music can help drown out the sound of the drill.

4. Signal the dentist when they experience pain - This can be an effective way to alert the dentist that a procedure is causing discomfort.

5. Bring a list of questions - Patients may forget to ask questions or address their concerns once their appointment starts. A list can remind them of exactly what they wanted to ask.

Only 6 States Earn an "A" Grade When it Comes to Children's Dental Health

2010-02-23T14:17:00.000-08:00

Does your state measure up? The Pew Charitable Trusts scored all 50 states and the District of Columbia - using an A-F scale - on how well the states are implementing eight proven policy solutions to ensure dental health and access to care for children.

The categories used to rate each state includes:
- Cost-effective ways to help prevent dental problems
- Medicaid improvements that enable and motivate more dentists to treat disadvantaged children
- New workforce models that expand the number of qualified dental providers
- Gathering data to improve performance

Here are the results:

Only six states earned "A" grades: Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island and South Carolina. (These states met at least six of the eight policy benchmarks and had policies in place that met or exceeded the national performance standards.)

Nine states received a "B" grade: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, New Hampshire, Ohio, Texas and Washington.

Twenty states received a "C" grade. (These states met four or fewer of the eight policy benchmarks.)

Six states and the District of Columbia earned a "D" grade: Alabama, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada and Utah.

Nine states earned an "F," meeting only one or two policy benchmarks: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey, Hawaii, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Note: No state met all eight targets. New Jersey ranked lowest in the nation, meeting only one benchmark. Also, high grades do not mean that all people in the state have access to quality dental care services.

(Source: The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2/23/2010)

Your Dental Office Career Starts with Good Telephone Skills

2010-02-16T17:01:00.000-08:00

According to recent research by dental marketing experts, a whopping seven out of 10 people will, or will not, schedule an appointment with your office based on how they were treated on the phone. Furthermore, in today's global world, the telephone is still considered to be a key communication device and is deemed to be the most important advertising tool in any practice.

Do you measure up? In your dental office, make sure that you are creating the right impression each and every time you answer the telephone. Here's the criteria you can use to evaluate the quality of your office's phone communication:

- How is your phone being answered? Do you have a cheerful attitude? Is your voice clear?
- Do you answer the call in your office and provide the name of the dental practice as well as your name to the caller?
- Does you know how to encourage someone to come into the office?
- Do you have the ability to answer questions regarding financing or insurance? Can you provide the answers that encourage potential patients to come in for an appointment?
- Do you consistently try to convince callers of the benefits of coming to an appointment rather than canceling? Or do you encourage the patient to re-schedule at that time rather than calling back?

Need to make changes to your office's communication procedures? Remember, always be gracious and friendly to anyone that calls your office. You never know how far your courteous manner can go in helping you to retain and attract patients.

Make Sending Handwritten Notes a Priority in Your Dental Office Career

2010-02-05T15:05:00.000-08:00

One of the most simple and effective ways to build and retain business at your dental office is still the practice of sending handwritten notes to your patients - particularly thank you notes for referrals and acknowledgement for something they have done.

The fact is that your personal correspondence is much more meaningful and appreciated than a generic note. After receiving your personal card or letter, the patient’s initial response is sure to be positive and grateful for your thought and consideration.

Long considered by the top professionals in the field of dentistry as one of the best, time-tested methods for building your dental practice, the writing of personalized notes can be especially effective with your most important patients. Since typewritten messages or e-mails are often looked upon as being impersonal and pre-packaged, they are usually discarded, and definitely do not make the same positive impact on the recipient.

Simply keep a stack of note cards at your desk and send them for:

- Birthdays
- Referrals
- Patients going through a difficult time
- Simple thank you's
- Holidays

You can also send your patients items that you know they have an interest in… maybe a recipe you came across that you know they would like to try or an upcoming event you know they would enjoy attending.

Simply sending a patient a "thinking of you" card from time to time is a nice gesture as well as the acknowledgement of something they themselves or members of their family have achieved – perhaps an item you read in the local paper or heard about. A personal note with your good wishes and congratulations is sure to be well received and create a positive impact on your dental office.

(Source: www.spiritofcaring.com)

Eco-Friendly Dentists? Yes, They're Out There.

2010-01-07T15:18:00.001-08:00

While the rest of the planet is seemingly going green, so are today's dentist professionals. Actually, there's a current shift within the dental industry to become more green conscious and implement eco-friendly practices.

Dental practices use their fair share of energy and water and consume a lot of paper products - however with due diligence, dentists can take their practices in a green direction. You still need electricity for lights, water for sanitation and clean, sanitary supplies, but there are ways that a dental office can implement green practices throughout the office.

Learn how to integrate products and procedures that benefit the earth into your dental office. Taking simple steps can set you on the path toward conservation, sustainability and energy efficiency. You'll be prepared to reduce carbon emissions and waste, conserve water, and recycle and reuse products instead of adding to landfills.

Use these products to "greenify" your dental office:

- Sustainable build materials and furnishings
- Eco-friendly paints and finishes
- Energy-efficient light bulbs
- Reusable cups
- Cloth bibs
- Biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products
- Water-conserving fixtures
- Digital billing, charting and x-rays
- Steam-based sterilization system

As a dental professional or even patient, you can encourage the dentists in your practice to join the green movement - there are things that can be done everyday, big and small, to help the office become more eco-friendly. A green dental office is one that helps to maintain and improve patients' oral health in a safe and effective manner while implementing environmentally-sound procedures that help the overall planet - a win-win for everyone!

(Source: Mother Nature Network, Eco Dentistry Association)

Decorate the Dental Office to Relieve Patient Anxiety or Stress

2010-01-07T11:40:00.000-08:00

We all know that going to the dentist can be stressful and frightening. As a dental office professional, you are in a unique position to help alleviate these fears. The front part of the dental office is the first things patients see when they come in - help make it welcoming and serene.

Give patients a sense of calm and well being by implementing a few easy tips in the waiting area:

Paint the walls a blue-green or green color - These colors tend to emit a restful and soothing feeling and have actually been found to help lower blood pressure and slow the pulse. Stay away from red and orange, which can provide the opposite effect.

Choose nature-themed pictures to hang on the walls - It has been determined that nature pictures used as medical or dental office decor can help provide a serene atmosphere and have a calming effect.

Scent the air - Another one of the five senses that can be used to gain an air of calm is smell. Lightly scenting the room with lavender, jasmine or mint will help to sooth the patient.

Place a fish tank in the sitting area - Water can also add to the tranquility of the waiting room. Watching the fish and the water can help lull the patient and provide a sense of ease. It can also help distract children, another plus!

Include a splash of green - By including a few plants, silk or real, you can help add a touch of warmth to the dental office. It's an easy way to incorporate a personal touch and make the office appear more welcoming.

Keep the waiting area clean and up-to-date - You should provide a daily sweep of the waiting room and make sure that there is no trash present. Also, make sure to subscribe to a variety of magazines and keep the issues up to date so the patient has something interesting to read.

A few simple steps can go a long way toward helping patients feel comfortable and calm while in your office. With a little thought and effort, you can help create a peaceful atmosphere that not only puts patients at ease, but brings them back for future visits.

Treat Dental Patients Like Your Favorite Aunt

2009-05-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, going to the dentist is not high up on most people's list of favorite things to do. Many people are downright scared to visit the dentist and dread their visit weeks in advance. As a dental assistant, there are things you can do to make patients feel more at ease.

Be timely - Sometimes it is inevitable for time to get away from people, but try your best to keep things on schedule. If you find that someone is going to have to wait, give a friendly reminder that you will be with them shortly.

Greet patients - Make sure that you personally greet patients. Walk out to the waiting room, say hello and guide them back to the x-ray area or chair. Ask them how they've been since their last visit or how their day is going.

Create an inviting atmosphere - Ensure that the dental office - both front and back areas - is clean and inviting to the patient. Add some fresh flowers to make the area pleasant for patients. Include interesting magazines and maybe a video game system or TV for kids.

Stay organized - When you are getting the tools ready and setting up for the hygienist or dentist, keep things in an orderly manner. First, this will create a professional-looking work space; second, it will make things go more smoothly and quick for the patient.

Explain treatments to patients - One of the hardest things for patients is not knowing what to expect at their dental visit. Before the hygienist or dentist arrives, take a minute to explain the upcoming procedures and help put the patient at ease.

Be conversational - As you are getting the patient ready for the hygienist or dentist and prepping your work space, take the time to talk with the patient. Ask about their job or family to make them more comfortable and create a rapport.

Smile - Always be positive! This helps create a welcoming environment and makes the patient more comfortable. Put on a friendly face and get the patient smiling too.

Going to the dentist can be stressful enough for some people. Help alleviate that stress by creating a positive experience for them. Getting their teeth cleaned or a cavity filled probably is not high up on their list of favorite things to do, but you can make them more comfortable by doing a few simple things. Click here to learn how to become a dental assistant.

Don't Fret: Hiring Opportunities Exist in the Health Care Industry

2009-04-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

Many people are facing a deadend when it comes to finding a job in their career field. With unemployment so high, over 9% in California alone, it is becoming harder for people to return to work in their career of choice.

If you find yourself in this predicament, what can you do? You can decide to get relevant, practical career training in the health care industry. It is the largest industry in the U.S., having provided 14 million jobs in 2006 alone. With a forecast of 3 million new wage and salary jobs on the horizon between 2006 and 2016, it is the perfect area to build a long-term career. (Source: BLS)

Office and administrative support positions in the health care industry are expected to rise in the next decade as an aging and growing population creates a greater need for accurate record-keeping and billing procedures in hospitals, physician offices, nursing and residential care facilities, and outpatient care centers nationwide.

Medical billers, medical coders, medical transcriptionists and medical administrative assistants are among the occupations projected to experience double-digit gains. These workers are responsible for keeping an organization running smooth and are not required to perform any clinical tasks, creating an ideal transition into the stable health care industry.

Work in a stable industry – Wage and salary employment in the health care industry is projected to increase 22 percent through 2016, compared with 11 percent for all industries combined. (Source: BLS)
Train for a new career fast – You can train to become a medical biller or medical coder in less than two years. With an online medical course, such as an online medical billing specialist course, you can learn anytime, anywhere.
Play an integral role – You can help keep the office and administrative aspects of a health care organization on target; i.e. ensure that doctors get paid fast and accurately with your knowledge of medical codes.
Experience opportunities nationwide – Every health care facility requires experienced medical billers, medical coders, medical transcriptionists and medical administrative assistants to handle day-to-day operations. This means opportunity for you!

Don’t let your career falter! Investing in a new health care career can reward you tenfold. With seven of the 20 fastest growing occupations in the health care industry, it pays to make a change. (Source: BLS) A career as a medical biller, medical coder, medical transcriptionist or medical administrative assistant can provide the stability, flexibility and reward you’ve been looking for.

What is the Work Environment Like for a Dental Office Assistant?

2008-08-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

As a dental assistant, you will work in a dental office setting. It is a well-lighted, clean and comfortable environment that includes multiple rooms, such as a waiting area, front office, x-ray room and back area with separate dental chairs and work stations.

Depending on the type of task you are doing, you will either work near the dental chairs providing assistance to the dentist or in the front office performing administrative tasks. Your chairside tasks will include: arranging instruments, gathering the right materials and medications, and handing the needed items to the dentist. In the front area, you will manage files, collect payments and schedule appointments in a comfortable office setting.

While you assist the dentist, you will be required to wear gloves, masks, eyewear, and protective clothing, such as scrubs, to protect yourself and the patients from infectious diseases. Professionals in the front office also oftentimes wear scrubs or some other matching type of uniform.

Your schedule as a dental assistant can vary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about half of dental assistants have a 35- to 40-hour work week, while the rest work part-time or have variable schedules. Depending on the hours of your dental office, you might be able to create a schedule where you work evenings or Saturdays.

Dental Assistant vs. Dental Hygienist

2008-08-18T15:47:00.000-07:00

If you're looking to start a career in the dental field, it is important to know the difference between dental assistants and dental hygienists. Although they both have vital roles in today's dental office, their duties and education are different. Here's the lowdown:

Dental Assistants

Dental assistants are typically responsible for the following tasks:
- Work closely with patients before, during and after procedures
- Assist the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
- Sterilize instruments
- Set up dental tray for procedures
- Use suction to keep patients' mouth dry and clear
- Take impressions of patients' teeth for study casts
- Clean removable appliances
- Make temporary crowns
- Instruct patients on general oral health care
- Schedule appointments
- Maintain patient records
- Send invoices and receive payments
- Order supplies and materials

Dental assistants provide the essential support -- patient, office and laboratory -- that keeps the dental office running in a smooth manner. Most dental assisting programs are between nine and 11 months in length and result in a certificate or diploma. These training programs prepare you to start your career as a dental assistant.

Dental Hygienists

Dental hygienists typically perform the following types of tasks:
- Collect information about the patient's oral and medical health history
- Remove calculus, stains and plaque from all surfaces of the teeth
- Make molds of patients' teeth for evaluating treatment
- Chart patients' dental conditions for the dentist
- Apply fluorides and decay preventatives
- Administer local anesthetics
- Remove sutures and dressings

The duties of dental hygienists mostly revolve around preventative oral health care. A dental hygienist education requires an associate or bachelor's degree in dental hygiene. Some dental hygienists may even pursue a master’s degree. These programs prepare you to perform a wide range of services as a dental hygienist. Enroll dental assisting course today at Allied medical school.

Dental Assisting Career Outlook Bright

2008-08-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

One of the top reasons to start a dental assisting career should be career potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job prospects for dental assistants are projected to increase much faster than average in the next decade -- making it the perfect career for your future!

With job openings projected to increase more than 29% through 2016, dental assisting is positioned to experience extraordinary growth. If you are seeking a stable career opportunity, this is an ideal way to build a career in a field that will be around for a long time to come.

Dental services are essential for every age level -- from children learning the importance of preventative career to older individuals retaining their natural teeth. This leads to an even greater need for qualified dental assistants in dental offices nationwide.

How can you start your career? Most dentists prefer to hire assistants with formal dental assistant training. You can get ahead by enrolling in a dental assistant program today. Most programs can be completed in less than a year and provide the training you need to step right into a dental office as a qualified assistant. You will be prepared to:

1) Work under the supervision of a dentist -- make temporary crowns, make casts of teeth, clean removable appliances
2) Interact with patients -- advise about dental care, get dental history
3) Manage dental tools -- prepare patients for treatment, disinfect tools, arrange tools on dental tray
4) Manage the administrative aspects of a dental office -- maintain records, schedule appointments, manage payments

Dentists are expected to free up their time for more complex procedures by hiring dental assistants to perform routine tasks. This provides more opportunities for dental assistants to play an important role in a dental office setting.

With job prospects on the rise, it is the perfect time to get dental assistant training. When you enroll in a dental assistant programs, you receive the training to work in a dental office providing essential support. It is a career that will grow with you and provide the long-term opportunity you are seeking.