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My Interest in Being a Dental Assistant

Research Paper Instructions:

Major: Dental Assisting . Please follow the guidelines. Thank you so much.

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Dental Assistant Career Paper
A dental assistant is a qualified person who performs various tasks from the office, patients, and laboratory duties. Dental assistants' duties include assisting dentists, preparing treatment rooms, confirming patient appointments, nutritional counseling, offering patient education, and preparing dental insurance claims. Dental assistants work 35 to 40 hours a week and provide their services in a well-lighted and clean environment (ExploreHealthCareers.org). These individuals work in various settings, such as hospitals, insurance companies, group practices, private dental offices, public health facilities, dental suppliers, armed services, and educational institutions. Besides, dental assistants' work area is close to the dental chair since they arrange equipment, medications, and other materials that dentists require when performing various dental procedures. For instance, they assist in taking X-rays, coronal cleaning, and placing fluoride on patients' teeth. These professionals wear masks, eyewear, gloves, and protective clothing to minimize the risk of exposure to infectious diseases and blood-borne pathogens. Dental assistants hold significant roles and responsibilities, primarily working alongside a dentist in various dental procedures.
Job Requirements and Career Path
The American Dental Association (ADAA) introduced the career of dental assistants in 1948 (Aronovich 1). Before dental assistant became a recognized career, dentists chose individuals they trained to assist them in undertaking their duties. The training involved working alongside dentists to know the equipment and materials required to carry out various dental procedures. Some dentists preferred to work with nurses since they already had the knowledge and skills of taking care of patients and equipment required in different treatment procedures. They were required to obtain the materials and equipment used by dentists when attending to their patients' needs. In addition, the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. (DANB) was established in 1980 and recognized by ADA in 1989. The dentist chair is the work area for dental assistants, and these individuals follow the instructions given by dentists. For example, they prepare equipment and other materials needed for specific dental procedures. They take X-rays and develop dental radiographs. Dental assistants interview patients to know their medical histories and serve as the infection control officer. They also provide patients with instructions for oral care and teach appropriate oral hygiene for maintaining health, including nutritional counseling, flossing, and tooth brushing (ADA). According to Meridian College, "A good dental assistant should treat patients with compassion, keep patient confidentiality, be dedicated, show empathy, have interpersonal skills, patience, exude a positive attitude, keep a professional appearance, take responsibility, be sensitive to patient's needs, be sincere, and act as a team player" (Meridian College 1). The typical employers for dental assistants are dentists, insurance companies, hospitals, and firms manufacturing dental products.
Individuals who want to become qualified dental assistants may follow different paths to enter this career. However, the requirements vary depending on the state. First, an individual with a high school diploma can get on-the-job training. Second, a person can pursue a certificate in dental assistant. Third, an individual can pursue a degree in dental assistance. The latter is the career path am following to become a highly qualified and competent dental assistant. In particular, there is no entry-level position for this career. Some hospitals or dentists prefer to train their dental assistants by working with them. Dental assistance careers do not have middle-level positions. However, the upper-level positions include office manager, dental hygienist, research associate, educator, dentist, dental laboratory technologist, and dental sales representative (ExploreHealthCareers.org). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for dental assistants is expected to increase by 19% from 2016 to 2026 (Endsley 5). In that light, those pursuing a career in dental assistant have a high likelihood of getting employed if they finish their courses successfully. The BLS states that "dental assistance can expec...
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