Dental Assisting Essay

Nature of the work for a dental hygienist is a wide range of challenges. Dental hygienist plays as the side kick of the dentist to better help their patient’s oral health conditions. The reason I mentioned theirs a wide variety of responsibilities is because different states have certain regulations on practices dental hygienist can actually do. Procedures like patient screening, head and neck inspection, and dental charting. Also, taking X-Rays, and removing plaque from all surfaces of the teeth. Dental hygienist also applies sealants and fluorides to the patient’s teeth and gums to help prevent diseases from forming. The information I conducted from my dental hygienist Linda. She noted that she teaches her patients proper instructions on flossing, and brushing teeth, and also nutrition counseling. Make an impression on their patient’s teeth for study casts which is models of teeth used by the dentist to evaluate patient treatment needs (Linda Smith). Finally, dental hygienist performs documentation and office activities. Academy of General Dentistry gave me the sources

Dental hygienists play an important role in the dental care facilities since they apply their knowledge on every case by removing tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth. They are in charge of applying sealants and fluorides to the teeth in order to protect them, they take and develop x-rays which helps them determine the patient 's vocal health and then present all this information through a report for the dentists to see. Once they have documented the patient 's care, they begin a treatment plan for each patient. They also educate their patients about the oral health and techniques they should apply and how to brush and floss the teeth accurately. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016-17, p.2) Dental hygienists apply critical thinking, compassion towards their patients, interpersonal skills, and dexterity while on their jobs and are supposed to be very detail oriented since they work on small parts of the body and need precise use of the tolls. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016-17, p.4).

Young children and many adults are terrified of visiting the dentist. The first clinician they would see is the dental hygienist, making it extremely important for the dental hygienist to be kind, understanding, and easy to talk to. These characteristics will allow patients to be at ease and enjoy their dental visits. It is also important for dental hygienists to be good listeners so they could understand their patients` concerns. Physical skills are just as important as interpersonal skills in this career. It is important to have good finger dexterity and near vision. These physical skills will come to good use because the job of dental hygienists require them to use instruments in the small area of a patient's mouth. It is also crucial that a dental hygienist be in good physical shape. Dental hygienists spend most of their time crouched over a patient which could result in back pain if the hygienist is not healthy and

Most assistants will work in an office where they will assist in doing a variety of different things like taking care of all of the equipment as well as the instruments used by the dentist. They will make sure that all of these things are in good working order and ready for whenever the dentist is in need of them.

As a dental hygienist I will assist patients as I work under the supervision of an licensed dentist. As a dental hygienist I am not qualified to make the same kind of diagnostic decisions or perform the same procedures as dentists. Instead, dental hygienists perform basic dental care tasks, mostly focused on keeping patients' teeth and gums clean as possible. As a dental hygienist my duties are to remove tartar, stains, and plaque from teeth, apply sealants and fluorides to help protect

Dental hygienists work in a dentist’s office. Work hours for this career can vary. However, the typical work day for a dental hygienist is 8 hours. “About half of dental hygienists worked part time in 2016. Dentists often hire hygienists to work only a few days a week, so some hygienists work for more than one dentist” (Dental Hygienists). Dental offices are usually located in suburban areas.

Immediately after high school, I attended Concorde Career College with the goal of obtaining a dental assistant degree. Dental assistants help dental operators such as dentists and dental hygienists with providing more efficient dental treatment. We also prepare patients for treatments, sterilize instruments, handle instruments, operate dental equipment, process dental radiographs, and take dental impressions (“Dental Assistant”).

Medical assistants work underneath the guidance of physicians and some nurses usually within care facilities like offices and clinics. Medical assistants should have a variety of skills to be successful within this career. Many skills should be specialized for this field, such as, having a good understanding of medical terminology and procedures to be able follow and read what patient charts read or instructions given by a physician. They should also be able to use medical equipment and tools. Depending on how big of facility and the number of staff members within the care facility, medical assistant jobs can vary.

An Orthodontist can start out by working as an associate of an established dentist, but with experience they may establish their own Orthodontic practices. According to the Bureau Of Labor Statistics, employment of an orthodontist is expected to grow by 20% between 2010 and 2020 which is an increase of approximately 1,800 jobs in a ten-year span of time. “ According to the American Association of Orthodontists, out of 100 dental school graduates, only six go on to become orthodontists”(Santiago). As of May 2012 the states with the highest concentration of orthodontist jobs in the occupation were in Indiana, Illinois, and New Jersey. “an orthodontist’s salary can range anywhere from $65,000 to $650,000 annually, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the mean annual wage of an orthodontist is roughly $186,000”

Unfortunately that is not the norm, and most dental offices require schooling and certification before allowing anyone to assist with patient care. In Florida, an uncertified COA can perform basic supportive dental procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist, who assumes full responsibility for being sure the dental assistant has the skills required to perform the tasks. Dental assistants in the state of Florida must have formal training to perform any advanced function in the dental office. To be able to perform advanced or expanded functions, a COA student or employee must complete a dental, dental hygiene, or dental assisting educational program. The program providing training must be accredited by the commission on dental accreditation (CODA). In lieu of completing a program a COA student can complete a Florida Board-approved expanded duties training program.

The Dental Assistant: This is the individual who will greet you and seat you in the doctor’s office. He or she will answer any questions you have about the procedure, prepare the materials to be used for your treatment, assist the orthodontist during your visit, take and develop X-rays, sterilize the instruments, and update your patient record after your visit,

Dental Assistants can earn a certificate through programs within a year, but for more of an education, one can receive an associates degree. The process of learning is through laboratory work where students learn about the mouth and the instruments used. Dental Assistants who do not have formal education can learn their tasks through on-the-job training.

mouths and patients. As a dental assistant, it is important that we educate every patient that

Since the beginning of September, I have been working an average of about twenty hours a week. This exposure has given me crucial help in determining that the dental field is something that really interests me, and has only further proven my initial thoughts on what I wanted to study in

On a daily basis, a dental hygienist will try to make their patients as comfortable as possible, prepare the patients for certain treatments, and retrieve records. They may even hand dental instruments and materials to dentists. Dental Hygienists keep patients ' mouths dry by using suction devices. Another job dental hygienists do is sterilizing equipment. They set up trays for procedures, and instruct patients about taking care of their dental health after procedures and overall oral health care. They may also process x-ray film. Dental Hygienists might also apply anesthetics to gums (Dental Assistant: Work Environment.) Dental hygienists are a dentist’s right-hand man/ woman.