The first week of March is Dental Assistants Appreciation Week, a time to highlight the vital work done every day by dental assistants throughout the country. 

Dental assistants provide support for both the dental team and the patients. They act as the first point of contact for patients and help them feel comfortable while also setting up appointments and handling billing. Dental assistants also check guests for important oral hygiene information and educate patients on best practices.

During procedures, dental assistants provide in-room support to oral surgeons and handle instruments and materials, while also preparing the treatment room and sterilizing materials. 

In this article, we will further examine the importance of dental assistants to a dental clinic, and learn about the training needed to become a professional. 

Why Dental Assistants are so Important

Dental assistants help ensure all operations at a dental clinic are running smoothly and efficiently. They handle a variety of tasks ranging from clinical support to administrative duties, to direct patient care, helping to free up dentists to focus on specialized procedures. 

Dental assistants often act as a bridge between the patient and the dentist, ensuring that the patient has all of the information and tools needed for successful oral care. Additionally, they provide much-needed support to dentists in the office, handling scheduling, documentation, and tracking a guest’s medical history.

Key Responsibilities of a Dental Assistant

Dental assistants’ responsibilities cover a wide range of tasks in a dentist’s office and can be broken down into three sections: clinical support, administrative tasks, and patient care. 

Clinical Support

• Preparing and sterilizing instruments to prevent cross-contamination.
• Assisting dentists during procedures by handing tools, managing suction, and ensuring patient comfort.
• Taking X-rays or impressions when certified.
• Making temporary crowns and processing lab materials. 

Administrative Tasks

• Scheduling appointments and organizing patient records.
• Handling billing, insurance claims, and inventory management.
• Acting as a liaison between patients, dentists, and external contacts like suppliers or insurance companies.

Patient Care

• Welcoming patients and helping them feel comfortable with their care. 
• Educating patients about proper oral hygiene practices. 
• Monitoring patients' well-being during treatments. 
• Recording medical history for review by the dentist. 
• Helping to explain and outline treatment plans for guests. 

Training and Credentials for Dental Assistants

Regulations for becoming a dental assistant vary by state but often require a formal education and additional training. If you’re interested in becoming a dental assistant, here are some possible paths to receive the proper training needed to get hired full-time at a dental practice. 

Educational Pathways

Many states require formal education through accredited dental assisting programs. These programs typically take 9-12 months to complete and are offered at locations such as vocational schools and community colleges.  

Associate degree programs in dental assistance are also available at some schools in-person and online. These programs take two years to complete and provide a more in-depth formal education than a dental assistant program, which may present a better opportunity for future career advancement. 

There are also opportunities for on-the-job training at certain practices and certifications that can be obtained, such as a CDA (Certified Dental Assistant). 

DECA Dental DAAP Program

At DECA Dental, we offer a Dental Assistant Apprentice Program (DAAP), which is designed to help people start careers in dentistry without prior experience. This program covers credentialing costs and provides rigorous paid training and hands-on experience, mentorship from dental professionals, career pathways by breaking down barriers to a rewarding career, and comprehensive benefits including excellent working hours and opportunities for future growth.

DECA Dental’s DAAP program has helped many people begin fruitful careers in the dental industry and improve their lives. Graduates of the DAAP program have gone on to have successful dentistry careers, including becoming dental assistants.

Continued Professional Development

After completing formal training or education, there are also ways for dental assistants to continue their professional development. These include attending conferences, seminars, or online training courses that provide further education. 

Additional education opportunities may focus on expanding a specific skill set in areas such as radiography, infection control, chairside assistance, placing and finishing fillings, and assisting in oral surgery. Dental assistants should also work with dentists to stay up to date on new technologies and best dental practices. 

Celebrating Dental Assistants Appreciation Week

Every first full week of March, the American Dental Assistants Association recognizes Dental Assistant Recognition Week meant to honor the hard work of dental assistants throughout the country. 

During Dental Assistants Appreciation Week, dental offices are encouraged to honor dental assistants by throwing a small party or luncheon, giving personalized gifts, and publicly thanking and acknowledging them on social media.

While honoring Dental Assistants during this special week is a nice gesture, it’s also important for dentists to show appreciation for their hard work year-round by providing support, offering development for career growth and additional opportunities, and providing positive feedback and incentives.

Thank You to Our Dental Assistants at Ideal Dental

At Ideal Dental, we want to give a sincere thank you to our Dental Assistants for their hard work and dedication. Our dental assistant’s attention to detail and empathetic and compassionate care are second to none, and we are proud to have such skilled and caring professionals as part of our team.