Dental assistant question?

I will be starting as a dental assistant next week and I'm very nervous. Although it is @ my dentist office and they are all very nice. I have never done this type of work before, can anyone give me some advice. People who work as one or have worked in this position. Is it a really tough job.

Dental assistant question?
If you've never worked in a medical office, there are a few things you need to know. Always wear gloves when handling clean or dirty instruments. Like the last answer said, it's VERY important to NEVER say "Oops" or anything like that infront of the patient. Don't wear your gloves into the front office. Don't answer questions that you don't know. If you do answer the telephone, once you've been there a while you'll be able to "screen" calls for the dentist. He'll love you for that.


Always remember that the dentist is your boss. The other assistants may have seniority, but they don't write your check. Unless he tells you, "Blah Blah is your superior. You must obey her.", don't be afraid to do things the way you feel comfortable doing them. People have a tendency to get the big head when they're older and more expierienced. They started out just like you. The only difference is that they are a lot older than you. (Which may make them feel threatened in itself!)


My point is, make the doctor happy. Be nice and learn from your co-workers and be clean!! Work hard and you will be fine. Let the office train you the way they've trained many ppl. before you. They know what they're doing. Just do the best you can and ask questions!
Reply:I'm not a dental assistant but have worked many jobs in my life.


First day at any new job is tough.especially a specialized one.


You're not alone.Everyone has to start somewhere and is nervous.


Just go in be confident,but not too confident.


You do your best,don't be afraid to ask questions,take advice when given.


Never act like you know it all.


Sometimes you even have to eat crow(admit you were wrong).Before you know it,you'll be a veteran member of the staff.


best of luck on your new proffession!
Reply:Hi, I have been a dental assistant for 10 years. I think one of the worst things is being the "new" assistant in an office. Since you work in such a close relationship with the dentist and with the other assistants, it is hard to know if that relationship is going to work out well, until you have worked there for a while. Best thing I can suggest, is to become friends with your fellow assistants. As a dental assistant, there are some very stressful times in a denal office and having the other assistants as your friends and not just co-workers, can save your sanity. I am have 2 other assistants in my office, myself and onother lady are the main assistants and the 3rd is our backup, and I am very close to both, especially the other main assistant. I know that whatever I may be stressed about at that moment, either she is too or has been and that can make all the difference.





Also, getting close to the other assistants, can just make the day go faster. You have someone, or mulitple someones, who knows what you need before you even ask for it, someone who offers to help you set up or break down a room when they know you are behind, and someone who, when they aren't busy, will come sit in the room with you and help you finish a temporary.





I would also suggest that you be very open to the way that this office does things, until you gain a little seniority. If they have been doing things the same way for a long time, then you are going to cause waves by butting heads with them. I suggest that you work there for at least 2-3 months before you start trying to incorporate your way of ding things into this office. that way no one who has been there for a long time feels like you are steppin on their toes. I made that mistake when I first came to this office, and the assistant he had had for 2 years and I really butted heads, and continued to do so for the next few months till she finally quit. She felt like I stepped on her toes and that made it an uncomfortable environment.





If you do run into any problems, deal with them immediatly, don't let them brew.





Good luck
Reply:I've been an assistant for three years and I love it. At times it is crazy and stressful but it's way more fun and fulfilling than any other job I've had before. I have to agree with the 2nd post here about making friends with other assistants (and front desk), also don't try to change things. Very good advice. Also try to be careful with supplies because they are very expensive and a dentist loves an assistant who doesn't waste money.


I hated the first two months as I felt like a complete idiot. But I stuck it out and I'm so glad. Ask for help if you need it. Never say "oops" or "is there always that much blood" or "gross" or "I don't know/can't see what I'm doing." All of those things make patients nervous.


Good luck with your first few weeks, pretty soon you'll be giving advice to us!