A Day in the Life of a Dental Assistant
Dental Assistants play a pivotal role in helping dental offices run efficiently and ensuring that patients are comfortable during their visit. They work alongside dentists and hygienists, providing vital assistance during exams as well as procedures. Though a career as a Dental Assistant requires a variety of skills, it is a unique opportunity to gain experience in both administrative work and direct patient care.
The Daily Duties of a Dental Assistant
Kathleen Kinsey, Arizona College Dental Assisting Graduate
“Each morning, I arrive early at the dental office where I work. I need to make sure the office is set up and ready to go before the day’s first appointments. At least half an hour before any patients arrive, the other Dental Assistants and I move through the office helping to set up by stocking and preparing each area for the day. Materials and clean tools needed for procedures have to be stocked at each chair, and X-rays and charts need to be ready to go when the dentist or hygienist needs them.
When the first patient arrives, I greet him in the lobby and have him follow me back to one of our stations. I seat him in the dentist’s chair, make sure he’s comfortable, arrange his bib, and let the dentist know that the patient is ready. Sometimes multiple patients will arrive around the same time, and I go from chair to chair preparing, arranging, and helping patients get settled while they wait for their exams. It’s not unusual for me to seat one patient, move to assist the dentist with another patient, and take X-rays for yet another patient all in a row — but I love having a job that keeps me on my toes!
Throughout the day, I see many patients — sometimes dozens. My favorite part of each day is assisting the dentist with exam and treatment procedures. Dental Assistants get to stand close by and assist with these interesting procedures while passing the right tools and instruments to the dentist. I also help keep patients comfortable during their procedures, doing things like holding back patients’ tongues and cheeks while the dentist works, and rinsing and suctioning patients’ mouths. After procedures are done, I get right to work readying the room for the next patient.
At the end of the day, I help with sterilizing, organizing, and preparing dental instruments for the next day’s exams and procedures. I also help with everything else that needs to be done around the office, from making appointment-reminder calls to developing X-rays to ordering supplies that have run out.”
The First Step to Becoming a Dental Assistant
“When I decided that I wanted to become a Dental Assistant, I looked into several training programs. I decided on Arizona College because it was really important to me to learn in a hands-on environment. The Dental Lab provided an awesome place for me to start practicing the skills I learned in my lecture-based classes, and my eight-week externship really solidified my learning. I felt the Dental Assistant program completely prepared me to start my job. My instructors at Arizona College helped guide me in a personal way, and even encouraged me and my fellow aspiring Dental Assistants in the program to get the certification we needed to work with radiology equipment. That certification gave me more on-the-job skills and helped me get the position I have now.
I loved my time at Arizona College and I love my new career even more.
Information in this blog post is accurate as of December 10, 2019.
Start Your Future in Nursing Today
If you’re considering a career as a registered nurse (RN), Arizona College of Nursing is here to help you pursue your dream. Our BSN program enables you to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in just 3 years or less with qualifying transfer credits. We’ve helped hundreds of students to earn a BSN degree and enter the nursing profession – and we’re ready to support you on your path to becoming an RN.
Why Choose Arizona College of Nursing?
- Earn a BSN degree in 3 years or less with eligible transfer credits
- Campus locations throughout the US
- Night classes for general education courses
- Hybrid Online/In-Person format for general education classes
- Nursing education is all we do
- CCNE-Accredited Program*
- NCLEX-RN success coaches and exam preparation class
- Financial aid available to those who qualify
Discover Your Path to a Career in Nursing
Information in this post is accurate as of December 10, 2019.
*The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at Arizona College of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.aacnnursing.org/). All Arizona College of Nursing and Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (https://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.