WHAT DO DENTAL ASSISTANTS DO?
Each state dictates what dental assistants are legally allowed to do, but, in general, this is what you could expect to do as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA):
- Seat the patient, take a detailed health history, and ensure the patient is comfortable during dental procedures.
- Prepare and set up the work area for procedures.
- Hand instruments to the dentist during procedures and keep the mouth dry.
- Clean up the area and sterilize instruments.
- Help document procedures, including X-rays and pictures inside the mouth, possibly assisting with notes.
- Fabricate temporary crowns and lab work.
HOW TO BECOME A DENTAL ASSISTANT & ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
The course itself lasts eight weeks. This is an accelerated dental assistant program, and it’s considered full-time. Each class will be split between lecture and hands-on clinical learning; The coursework will include (but not be limited to) dental anatomy, CPR, OSHA, HIPAA, procedural setup, microbiology, infection control, how to assist during a variety of dental procedures, record keeping, medical history gathering, proper oral hygiene, patient communication, dental impressions, rules governing dental professionals, coaching to both stand out as a candidate to be hired and also tips to grow in your position. Our goal is to give you a competitive edge within the job market by being prepared and having the knowledge to stand out.
As a requirement to graduate, each student will participate in 32 hours of externship in which the student volunteers to observe in a dental setting. The student will choose and schedule their externship sites and hours. We highly encourage individuals to rotate through various dental specialties, including oral surgery, periodontics, pedodontics, endodontics, and orthodontics. The final exam must complete these 32 hours. At Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, we take your education very seriously. The information you learn is essential to your success as a dental assistant. Therefore it is expected you attend class, be on time, dress and act professionally, and maintain an 80% or more excellent GPA within the program to graduate. We want you to have an edge on success!
After meeting the above requirements and graduating from Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, you may register with TN to become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).
TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDITS
Credits earned at Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC may not transfer to another educational institution. Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC may not accept credits earned at another educational institution. You should obtain confirmation that Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC will accept any credits you have earned at another educational institution before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement. You should also contact any educational institutions that you may want to transfer credits earned at Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC, to determine if such institutions will accept credits earned at Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC before executing an enrollment contract or agreement. The ability to transfer credits from Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC, to another educational institution may be minimal. Your credits may not transfer, and you may have to repeat courses previously taken at Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC, if you enroll in another educational institution. You should never assume that credits will transfer to or from any educational institution. It is highly recommended, and you are advised to make sure that you know the transfer of credit policy of Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC. Of any other educational institutions, you may in the future, want to transfer the credits earned at Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC, before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement.
What type of person excels in dental assisting? We want you not to succeed as a dental assistant but to EXCEL! So we are going to share the following:
10 PERSONALITY TRAITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL DENTAL ASSISTANTS:
1. Excellent Organizational Skills – A dental office can be a bustling place with multiple things to do, where accuracy is critical, so being well organized will help you stay ahead & keep the office running smoothly. A dental office can be hectic with multiple things to do, where accuracy is critical so being well organized will help you stay ahead & keep the office running smoothly.
2. A Detail-Oriented Personality – Health, safety, and a positive patient outcome largely depend on a dental assistant’s ability to concentrate on details to sterilize, document information, and complete tasks.
3. Ability to Prioritize & Manage Multiple Tasks at Once – As a dental assistant, your duties run the gamut. You often have to prioritize which tasks are most important at which time. You will need to prioritize and balance; for example, you may juggle preparing rooms, assisting with procedures, and sterilizing equipment while helping answer phones, patient and staff questions, greeting and escorting patients, and supporting teammates with procedures- all while keeping a smooth, calm demeanor.
4. Good Dexterity & a High Energy Level – As a dental assistant, you will be picking up instruments all day and moving quickly throughout the office to complete multiple tasks, so good dexterity & having a high energy level is a must!
5. Positive and Professional Demeanor – Your attitude and presentation reflect the practice you work for, so how you present yourself will reflect on the practice as a whole. Some professional qualities are being dependable, trustworthy, punctual, well dressed and well put together, taking your position seriously, and having a positive attitude in everything you do!
6. Good Communication Skills – Good communication is vitally needed with patients to find out their wants and needs and with staff to communicate changes on the schedule to keep the office running smoothly. You must polish initiating personal conversations and phone skills to speak with patients and explain complex subjects.
7. Being a Good Listener – Patients may not always say what they need to communicate. Being able to relate to patients and understand what they want and need, especially if it is unsaid, is critical to an exceptional assistant. You must also be an excellent listener to follow instructions to help your team.
8. Compassionate Attitude – With over 60% of the population reporting anxiety going to the dentist, it takes a special person to calm them down and relax them during an appointment!
9. A Desire to Help Their Patients and Their Team – The MOST successful dental assistants take pride in doing everything they can to make their dentist and team successful during the day. This may mean helping the dentist, another assistant, the dental hygienist, or staff at the front desk at any given time to keep things running smoothly.
10. Resilience and Steadfastness –A hard work ethic and meticulousness will go a long way, but plenty of days will be challenging, despite your best efforts. There will be days when you run behind, have unhappy patients, have complex problems to solve, and more. Being resilient and steadfast will help you brush it off, let it go, and bounce back with a smile!
Have the right qualities? Now it’s time for hands-on training! Sign up for our 8-week dental assistant training today!
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