Wherever there’s a dentist, there’s a dental assistant – or three – supporting them and making sure the needs of doctors and patients are being met. And this week, Dental Assistant Recognition Week, is dedicated to them for all of the work they do. So in the spirit of celebration, here are six reasons why we love our dental assistants:
- They help others.
If you ask someone why they became a dental assistant, there’s a good chance it’s because they wanted a way to help people! Dental assistants are by and large some of the most compassionate people we’ve met. They’re committed to doing whatever it takes to help a patient feel safe and relaxed in an environment that’s not always the most comfortable. And when a study by Colgate found that an estimated 30 to 40 million Americans are afraid of going to the dentist, it made dental assistants the front line of easing fears and anxieties in the offices.
- They keep us on track.
Dental assistants make a huge difference in how smoothly things go when it comes to the doctor’s patient schedule. Like a pit crew, dental assistants manage to do everything with skill and speed to make sure that both our patients and dentists stay on schedule. It’s the dental assistant’s job to get patients into the in-op chair and through their appointment as quickly as possible. We don’t want to take up more of the patient’s time, or our team’s time than is necessary.
- They do it all!
At Dental Depot, each of our dentists has a team who work together to help patients, including a patient care coordinator and, you guessed it, dental assistants. They completely set up their rooms with everything the dentist and patient might need, welcome the patient and take any x-rays and even assist the dentist during treatment. And once the patient is finished? The dental assistants flip their rooms and sterilize their tools to make sure everything is clean and ready to go for the next patient. Wow!
- They’re always learning something new.
Dentistry is a field that’s always evolving as new technology is developed to better serve patients. And to stay on top of helping their patients, many dental assistants choose to attend courses and earn certificates to expand their duties, such as; applying fluoride and sealants, giving patients nitrous oxide (aka laughing gas) and even coronal polishing to help prepare teeth for the dentist or hygienist to clean.
- They come from all walks of life.
One of the most interesting things about dental assistants is that they all come from different situations. Some are high school grads getting started in an accessible career, others are people looking for a midlife career change. Some assistants were stay-at-home parents who were ready to get back into the job field. And the U.S. Bureau of Labor reported that dental assisting is ranked in the top 25 fastest-growing occupations, projecting an 18% growth over the next 10 years.
- They stick around.
For some, dental assisting is the only career they’ll ever want to have. With each new certification and experience gained, there’s the opportunity for increased benefits. And for some, dental assisting is a stepping stone towards becoming a hygienist or even a dentist. The knowledge our dental assistants gain stays valuable and relevant, and many have even moved into management here at Dental Depot.
We are so grateful to our dental assistants, this week and every week, for everything that they do. Dental assisting is a fulfilling career and if there’s one thing to be said about it, it’s never boring! But no matter the challenges, our teams always go above and beyond to meet it. So to all of our wonderful dental assistants, thank you!
And if dental assisting sounds like something you’d be interested in, we’ve got some great news for you. Dental Depot is proud to offer the Dental Depot Academy of Dental Assisting, a 12-week course designed to help you jump right into an exciting new career as a dental assistant. Enrollment is now open for the Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 sessions, and you can apply easily online at dentaldepotacademy.com