10 things you need to know before becoming a dental assistant
Are you thinking about becoming a dental assistant? If so, there are some important things that you need to know. The dental field is growing rapidly, and there are many opportunities for assistants to find employment.
However, the job is not always easy. There are certain skills and traits that you will need to succeed in this career. In this article, we will discuss ten of the most important things that you need to know before becoming a dental assistant!
The dental field is growing rapidly
One of the best things about becoming a dental assistant is that the dental field is growing rapidly. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for assistants is projected to grow by 18 percent from 2016 to 2026. This means that there are many opportunities for assistants to find employment!You will need strong customer service skills
Dental assistants provide customer service to patients who are receiving treatment. As such, you will need strong customer service skills in order to be successful in this career. Patients may be nervous or anxious about their treatment, so it is important to be able to comfort and reassure them.You will need good oral communication skills
In addition to strong customer service skills, you will also need good communication skills. This is because you will be working closely with both patients and dentists. You will need to be able to effectively communicate instructions from the dentist to the patient.You will need good manual dexterity
Dental assistants must have good manual dexterity in order to perform their duties effectively. This means that you should be able to use your hands quickly and accurately. Many of the tasks that you will be responsible for require a great deal of precision, so it is important that you are able to maintain a steady hand.You must be detail-oriented
Another important trait that dental assistants must possess is attention to detail. This is because you will be responsible for many of the smaller tasks in the dental office, such as preparing trays and instruments and sterilizing equipment. It is essential that these jobs are done correctly in order to avoid any potential health hazards.You will need to be able to work under pressure
Dental assistants often find themselves working under pressure, especially when there is a lot of work to be done. This can sometimes mean having to work long hours or dealing with last-minute requests from the dentist. It is important that you are able to stay calm and focused under pressure so that you can get the job done efficiently.
