Enroll at Allied Medical School and be prepared to step into your new dental office assistant career with confidence and ease. Allied's Dental Office Assistant Program teaches you patient care, laboratory tasks and office duties - everything you need to succeed in your new role in a dental office. Provide the support dentists and dental hygienists require every day - you'll work alongside them to keep the office running smooth.
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.
Labels: Dental Assistant, dental assistant course, Dental Patients, dentist
more>>Posted by Allied Blogger Admin @ 2:00 PM • 0 comments
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.
Labels: allied medical school, Dental Assistant, Dental Office, Dental Office Administrative
more>>Posted by Heather Brunson @ 10:54 AM • 0 comments
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.
Labels: Dental Assistant, dental assistant corse, Dental Hygienist, Dental Office Assistant
more>>Posted by Heather Brunson @ 3:47 PM • 0 comments
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.
Labels: Dental Assistant, Dental Assistant TrainingDental, Dental Assisting Career, Dental Service
more>>Posted by Heather Brunson @ 12:04 PM • 0 comments
