Dental Assistant

Duties and Responsibilities: The dental assistant is a multi-skilled member of the dental health team, dedicated to assisting the dentist with all phases of dentistry. Dental Assistants may perform any of the following:

• seating patients in the treatment area
• passing requested instruments to the dentist during dental procedures
• sterilization and preparation of instruments
• taking impressions of teeth for study models
• polishing clinical crowns
• exposing and developing X-rays
• providing assistance in the office with tasks such as appointment scheduling, record keeping, telephone management, and billing
• ordering supplies
• serve as office manager or receptionist, greeting patients and introducing patients to the dental practice
• manage the business aspect of dentistry including bookkeeping, accounting, and money management
• manage patient records, filing, and recall systems
• assist the dentist directly at chairside with operative, oral surgery, orthodontic, and a wide range of other procedures
• provide oral hygiene instructions, preventive dentistry & dietary counseling
• perform the expanded functions legally authorized in the state of Florida
• take x-rays, impressions, and apply fluoride and sealants
• assist with patient management by working with a wide range of population groups
• perform laboratory functions such as pouring & trimming models, constructing custom trays and fabricating temporary crowns and bridges
• assist with implementation and documentation of current infection control standards

Education: It takes a relatively short period of time to become a dental assistant. Dental assistants receive their formal education through academic programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, universities or dental schools. Graduates of these programs usually receive certificates. Although the majority of academic dental assisting programs take nine to eleven months to complete, some schools offer accelerated training, part-time education programs or training via distance education.

Salary: $34,500

Reflection: I think I would like to be a dental assistant because you just have to help the dentist with their patient and if they help getting any think or need help doing the operation the dental assistant can help them.

Dentist

Duties and Responsibilities: Dentists are responsible for diagnosing and treating problems with the teeth, gums, and tissue in the mouth. These doctors instruct individuals on brushing, flossing, and all other aspects of dental care. Dentists will meet with patients in their office routinely and remove tooth decay, fill cavities, repair teeth, and treat gum diseases.

Salary: $72,420 $146,340

Education: According to the American Dental Association, www.ada.org, applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree before being admitted into dental school. Undergrads should focus on many science courses, like biology and chemistry. All applicants must take the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), and dental schools will focus an individual's DAT score, GPA, recommendations, and interviews. Dental school is a 4-year commitment and includes classes on microbiology, biochemistry, anatomy, and physiology, as well as clinical practices, safety, and professional ethics. Dentists are required to be licensed in the state they are working in, which requires passing a written and practical examination.

Skills Required

A career in dentistry requires excellent vision and an aesthetic eye regarding color, space, and shape. Dentists need business sense, communication skills, and self-discipline. These doctors also need to understand the use of dental equipment and know how to supervise hygienists, assistants, technicians, and receptionists.

Reflection: No I would like to be a dentist because it looks like hard work and you might hurt the person you are attending.