Brief Description
Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. They work chairside as dentists examine and treat patients. They make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment and obtain their dental records. Assistants hand instruments and materials to dentist and keep patients’ mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. Dental assistants also sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare trays of instruments for dental procedures, and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care.
Some dental assistants prepare materials for impressions and restorations, take dental X-rays, and process X-ray film as directed by a dentist. They also may remove sutures, apply typical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate selected teeth.
Those with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary crowns. Dental assistants with office duties schedule and confirm appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills, receive payments, and order dental supplies and materials.
HOW DO I BECOME A DENTAL ASSISTANT
Training in a vocational school or college usually takes one year or less. The Armed Forces also trains dental assistants. Although it is still possible to receive on-the-job training, many dentists prefer to hire formally trained assistants.
Licensing in dental assisting is regulated by the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry. This organization has no specific educational or training requirements for the most basic assisting functions, but does license the role of Expanded Duties Dental Assistants (EDDA) who is allowed to practice expanded functions – as defined by the state dental practice act – under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.
To qualify as an EDDA you must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program, that incorporates training in the expanded functions, complete a Board-approved radiography course, and hold a Board-approved CPR certificate.
Courses you will likely take in a dental assistant’s program include microbiology, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, and dental sciences. To become certified after completing an accredited training program, dental assistants must pass an exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Employment of dental auxiliary personnel should continue to grow at a steady rate. Employment opportunities in this field are projected to grow by 31% until 2020. Settings include private practice settings, group practice settings, general or specialty practices (such as oral and maxillofacial surgery), public health dentistry (including settings such as schools, free clinics, and hospitals), insurance companies (processing dental claims), and vocational-technical institutes, community colleges and universities.
Dental assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment. Their work area usually is near the dental chair so that they can arrange instruments, materials, and medication and hand them to the dentist when needed. Dental assistants must wear gloves, masks, eyewear, and protective clothing to protect themselves and their patients from infectious diseases. Assistants also follow safety procedures to minimize the risks associated with the use of X-ray machines.
SETTINGS
Settings include private practice settings, group practice settings, general or specialty practices (such as oral and maxillofacial surgery), public health dentistry (including settings such as schools, free clinics, and hospitals), insurance companies (processing dental claims), and vocational-technical institutes, community colleges and universities.
About half of dental assistants have a 35- to 40-hour workweek, which may include work on Saturdays or evenings.
SCHOOLS
- Acadiana Area Career College: Lafayette
- Acadiana School of Dental Assisting: Sunset
- Delta College Career Training: Baton Rouge
- Delta College Career Training: Covington
- Delta College Career Training: Lafayette
The Louisiana State Board of Dentistry only recognizes the Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) certificate earned through the EDDA course taught at:
- Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Dentistry (www.lsusd.lsuhsc.edu)
- University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) (www.ulm.edu)
- Southern University at Shreveport (www.susla.edu)
SALARY*
Mean annual wage for LA: $29,830
Mean annual wage by region:
Northwest
Shreveport/Bossier and surrounding area: $29,770
Northeast
Winnsboro and surrounding area: $28,020
North Central
Monroe: $27,950
Midwest
Natchitoches and surrounding area: $28,480
Central
Alexandria: $30,680
Southwest
Lake Charles and surrounding area: $32,070
New Iberia and surrounding area: $27,070
South Central
Lafayette: no data available
Baton Rouge: $30,420
Southeast
Houma/Thibodeaux: $28,260
New Orleans/Metairie/Kenner: $30,390
Hammond: $33,950
Note: Salary can change depending on the work setting.
CONTACT INFORMATION
PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION SOURCE:
American Dental Assistants Association
35 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601-2211
(312) 541-1550
*Salary information taken from http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_la.htm#00-0000