The dental practice offers many job opportunities for the aspiring students. Dental assistant is one such profession in the dentistry field. Dental assistants are the professionals who perform the supportive role in a dental clinic. Since they carry out all the pre works that are required for a dentist to perform operations, they are usually said to be the right hand of a dentist. These professionals carry out different variety of office, laboratory and patient care duties.

The primary duties of a dental assistant include taking x-rays, sterilizing dental equipments; help the dentist during treatments, etc. They may also work directly with the patients before, after and during the dental operations. They prepare the patients for dental operations and give instructions for them about the oral health care. The other responsibilities of these professionals are performing the patient appointments, taking the teeth impressions; carry out the office management and concerned administrative duties.

Qualifying Exam

To become dental assistant, one needs to complete a formal dental assisting training. These training programmes are offered in most of the community colleges or technical institutions in the country. However they must pursue the higher secondary education with biology, physics, chemistry and mathematics to join for these programmes. Sometimes they will receive on the job training which will provide them with the instructions on dental terminology, names of tools and equipments, how to perform the related tasks, how to interact with patients, etc. Some countries or state will require dental assistants to have a valid license.

Who is eligible to apply?

Candidates who have successfully completed their senior secondary education with biology from a reputed institution can apply for the dental assistant training programme. After completing the training they can apply for the concerned job in any reputed dental clinic. Some of the employers will provide on the job training for these professionals.

Key points in the process

• Study 12th with biology from a reputed institution and pursue a pass in the concerned examination of a recognized board.
• Pursue the dental assistant training from reputed technical colleges or community colleges that offer it.
• Find out the job as dental assistant in any well known dental clinic and apply for it.

Skills required for a Dental assistant

Individuals who are interested to work in the dentistry field can become a dental assistant after acquiring the formal training and relevant experience. They also need some peculiar qualities to perform in this profession. Dental assistants must possess good communication skills and eye-hand coordination. They should be able to work as part of a large team. In addition to these, the other qualities needed for them are manual dexterity, dedication, loyalty and integrity.