4 Important Skills You’ll Learn As a Dental Assistant
Are you considering pursuing a career in dental assisting? Not only is dental assisting estimated to become more in-demand in the coming years, but it is a challenging and satisfying career that can make a positive difference in people’s lives. However, it’s no secret that you’ll need to learn a lot in order to start your journey in this profession! Fortunately, your dental assistant program will teach you all the important skills you’ll need to thrive in your new career. Here are four of the most important skills you’ll learn as you train to become a dental assistant.
Technical Skills
First and foremost, you’ll gain an arsenal of knowledge related to various dental procedures, treatments, and equipment. You’ll learn all about the different types of tools that are used, how to properly care for them, and how to perform routine treatments. In most dental programs, you’ll receive hands-on training for performing dental cleanings, sterilizing dental instruments, preparing filling materials, taking X-rays, and more.
Administrative Skills
In addition to assisting the dentist and their work, dental assistants are also relied upon to help run the administrative side of the practice. The most common administrative duties of a dental assistant include scheduling appointments, keeping records, and invoicing patients. In many cases, you’ll also be taught how to perform inventory management and how to order more supplies.
Critical Thinking Skills
A dental assistant needs to be able to think on their feet. You’ll learn how to anticipate a dentist’s needs and provide the right tools and information they need to help things running smoothly. Additionally, you’ll also need to be able to pivot or handle a situation if something doesn’t go according to plan.
Interpersonal & Chairside Manner Skills
Oftentimes, the dental assistant is the first and last person a patient will meet with during a typical appointment. Interpersonal skills are always important when interacting with clients, and this is especially true in a healthcare setting. Many patients feel nervous about visiting the dentist, and your chairside manner can help put them at ease. Building a good rapport with your patients will build a trusting relationship over time and help make appointments more enjoyable for everyone.
While you’ll gain lots of experience in these skills as you begin your career as a dental assistant, you’ll develop a solid foundation for them during your dental assistant training program. If you’re ready to gain these essential skills and more, don’t wait to enroll in dental assisting classes!
About the Practice
A-Z School of Dental Assisting and Front Office has been training students for a fulfilling career as a dental assistant for nearly a decade. We are licensed and regulated by the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education, and our comprehensive 12-week course is designed to give you all the knowledge you need to thrive in your new career. Our experienced instructors teach small-sized classes to ensure every student gets the 1-on-1 instruction they need to learn the critical skills of a dental assistant. To learn more about our program, we can be reached online or at (480) 457-8330.
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