Dentist Assistant

DENTIST ASSISTANT

Dentist assistant job is to assist the dentist or other dental auxiliary to provide a more efficient dental treatment, by preparing the patient for treatment, sterilizing equipment, and helping with instruments during procedures.  Dentist assistants are also responsible for exposing dental radiographs, taking impressions and fabricating provisional crowns.  This way, dental operators can focus more time on the procedure.  At this point, the dental assistant basically becomes an extra set of hands for the dental operator.

In some states, dental assistants can work in the field without a college degree.  In other states, dental assistants must be licensed or registered.  There is a growing population of dental assistants fighting to have the requirement of a minimum certification to work in a growing field.  There are many things to be considered by dental assistants while in this field and arguably the most important thing is infection control.

Dentist assistants usually get their training at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, universities, or dental schools.  After completing a program that takes nine to eleven months, plus an exam, dental assistants receive a certificate or diploma in dental assisting.  Two year programs offered in community and junior colleges lead to an Associates degree.  All programs do require a high school diploma or equivalent and some require science or computer related courses for admission.  The commission on dental accreditation of the American Dental Association is the agency that accredits dental assisting school programs, of which there are over 200 in the United States.  To become a certified dental assistant or CDA, dental assistants must take the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) CDA examination after they have completed an accredited dental assisting program, or must have at least 2 years on the job training to be an accepted Dentist Assistant