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.
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
