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 assure the patient is comfortable during dental procedures |
| • | Prepare and setup 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 in documentation of 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 8 weeks, Fridays, from 7-4 and Tuesday or Thursday evenings (depending on location) from 5:30-8:30. 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 and last from 7AM to 5PM, taking an hour for lunch, on premises. The coursework will include (but not be limited to) dental anatomy, dental radiography, 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. It is our goal 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 a variety of dental specialties, including such as oral surgery, periodontics, pedodontics, endodontics, and orthodontics. At Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, we take your education very seriously. The information you are learning 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 greater 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 then register with the state of TN to become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). All students are subject to a background check in order to apply for their RDA license.
TRANSFERABILITY OF HOURS
Hours earned at Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC may not transfer to another educational institution. Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC may not accept hours earned at another educational institution. You should obtain confirmation that Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC will accept any hours 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 hours earned at Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC to determine if such institutions will accept hours earned at Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC before executing an enrollment contract or agreement. The ability to transfer hours from Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC to another educational institution may be very limited. Your hours 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. It would be best if you never assumed that hours will transfer to or from any educational institution. It is highly recommended and you are advised to make certain that you know the transfer of hours policy of Competitive Edge Dental Assisting Academy, LLC, and of any other educational institutions you may in the future want to transfer the hours 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 just 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 very busy with multiple things to do, where accuracy is very important, 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, and very often, you have to prioritize which tasks are most important at which time. You will need to prioritize and balance; for example, you may be juggling preparing rooms, assisting with procedures, and sterilizing equipment while also 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 both with patients to find out their wants and needs as well as with staff to communicate changes on the schedule to keep the office running smoothly. You will need to polish initiating personal conversations and phone skills to speak with patients and explain complex subjects in a simple way.
7. Being a Good Listener – Sometimes, a patient 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 will also need to be a good 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 in order to keep things running smoothly.
10. Resilience and Steadfastness –Having a hard work ethic and being meticulous will go a long way but there will be plenty of days that will be a challenge, despite your best efforts. There will be days that you are faced with running behind, unhappy patients, difficult problems to solve, and more. Being resilient and steadfast will help you brush it off, let it go, and bounce back with a smile on your face!
Have the right qualities? Now it’s time for hands on training! Sign up for our 8 week dental assistant training today!