Is anyone a dental assistant out there?

I am interested in this field. I would apprecitate it you could tell me what you do as a dental assistant, and is the pay any good? And does this career involve getting an associtates degree? Thanks in advance.

Is anyone a dental assistant out there?
I started assisting a little over 10 years ago. Back then you only had to have a radiology certificate and be trained in CPR and you could be an assistant. I started out at $7.50 an hour, by the time I was there a year I was making $11.00. I have only been at my current job 3 years and its in a small town, and I only make $15.00 an hour, which is a pay cut from what I was making before this job, but its closer to home and I don't have to fight traffic, so it was worth it for me.





When I started out, I was an assistant to the dental hygientist and I basically took the x-rays, cleaned her rooms and instruments, and helped her do her charting. I moved up to assisting the dentist, but this guy was old fashioned and liked to do everything himself. When I left this job, I found one that would actually let me do the normal things an assistant does. Over the years my skills have improved and I have learned to do more things, and have experience in different fields of dentistry, such as oral surgery, implants, cosmetic, etc.





Normal things that I do as an assistant now, and things you would need to do are:





take x-rays


mount them properly


proper sterilization


knowing names of all instruments and be able to identify them


take impressions


pour up models


make temporary crowns, bridges, and veneers


clean cement on crowns


adjust crowns outside the mouth


adjust dentures and partials


know teeth numbers and charting methods


set up rooms for specific procedures








I have been the implant and surgery assistant in my office for some time now, so I have to handle all the sugerys and I also do the ordering for our office, so my duties go beyond those I mentioned. I wouldn't be concerned with any of that yet though. Like the other lady who answered, I have also been the head assistant in this office, as well as two others that I worked in, so with that comes responsibility that the other assistants don't have.





To be a good assistant you need to be quick. You also need to be able to multi-task. You should be able to read x-rays, though actually diagnosing dental problems and treatment should really be left up to the dentist, though over time any good assistant can do it herself. You should be able to take an x-ray of a tooth and know what it needs to have done on it, but the dentist would actually be the one to present the actual treatment plan to the patient.





I know that in my state, you have to be registered with the state in jurisprudence (Dental laws), infection control, and radiology, as well as having your CPR certification, and have at least 6 hours of continueing ed classes a year.
Reply:I went to school for a year. Some are less than that. The pay varies in where you live, and how much you know. Starting out you dont get that much, but as you get better the pay can be very good. I have been doing it for 5 years now, and I love it. The pay for me now is excellent. It is way more than sucking spit, like everyone says. I am head assistant, and manage the other assistants, and run the whole office. You have to know a lot of stuff ( to be a good assisstant ).





You have to know all the instuments to all the procedure. In general dentistry it varies on what the dentist does. I do Root Canals, Fillings, Crown anad Bridge, dentures, partial, Extractions, Surgical extractions, Tori removal (bone), Alvelorplasty ( shaving jaw bones ), and many many many other things. You have to be ontop of everything. Plus you have to read and diagnois x-rays and be able to see what is the best option for the patient. Plus supply ordering and all sorts of things. When you start oout, you wont know all the stuff. It comes with exsperience like anything wlse. Plus you will not have as many responsibities. The head assistant has the most. It is very demanding, but very rewarding to see the patients confidence restored when they get that pretty smile back.