Dental assistants assist dentists in their offices by making the office run efficiently and smoothly. Dental assistants are allied health professionals who help with various tasks such as scheduling appointments for patients, cleaning their instruments, scheduling them, keeping patient records, and exposing their x-rays.
The outlook for dental assistants’ careers is excellent, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. It reports that dental recruitment will grow 19 percent by 2026. This is much higher than the 7 percent average national growth.
What makes dental assisting such a great career choice? Although there are many positive aspects to this job, there are also disadvantages. Let’s have a closer look.
Dental Assisting: The pros
Dental assisting offers many benefits. Dental assisting could be for you if you’re looking for a rewarding career that offers strong job prospects, good training, and career progression opportunities.
Employment growth
The expected job growth of dental assistants is much higher than the national average. The demand for preventative dentistry services is growing due to ongoing research on the relationship between oral and overall well-being. Baby boomers have more of their original teeth that previous generations. Therefore, they must maintain and treat their teeth. Dentists expect to hire more dental assistants in order to meet rising demand.
Short training
Dental assisting training is significantly shorter than traditional four-year college educations. A certificate program usually takes less than a year while an associate degree program takes two years.
Excellent earning potential
According to BLS, in May 2017, the median wage for dental assistants stood at $37,630. The BLS reports that the median annual wage for dental assistants was $37,630 in May 2017. This is in addition to other factors such as experience and certifications.
Variable job duties
There are many duties that dental assisting jobs can perform. No two days are the same. You will meet patients, collect their information, guide them to the exam room and prepare them for treatment. You could also clean or fix dental instruments, take x-rays of the teeth, or adjust orthopedic supplies. There are many things to do, and it is unlikely that you will ever get bored.
Work with people
Dental assisting could be the career for you if you love working with people. You will be interacting regularly with patients as well as other dentists. You will get to know people from many different backgrounds.
A great work environment
A dentist’s practice is a peaceful and tranquil place. The hygiene standards in a dental office are high because it’s a medical facility. Dental offices or clinics don’t tend to be as chaotic or stressful as other medical facilities.
Flexibility
Part-time and full-time work are possible as a dental assistant. One in three dental assistants works part time. Although dental assistants work in dental offices and surgeries, they are usually required to follow a schedule. Hospital dental assistants might have more flexible hours.
Career advancement opportunities
There are many opportunities for career advancement in the field of dental health. After some experience as a dental assistant you may want to pursue further training and be a dental hygiene professional. You can earn more if you are able to move up to higher positions.
Cons of Dental Assisting
Like any other job, dental assisting has its drawbacks. These can be overcome by taking the right precautions and making good career choices.
Bodily fluids
A dental assistant’s job is to clean out patients’ bodily fluids, such as blood, saliva, and pus. It is not the most pleasant part of being a dentist assistant. However, if you can manage it or get used it, this may be something you enjoy.
Working close to mouths
When you are helping a dentist with an exam or procedure you will likely be near the patient’s teeth. This can lead to you being exposed to unpleasant odors, or even more complicated dental procedures. It is important not to be too cautious.
Risk for pain
While caring for patients, dental assistants can find themselves in awkward or difficult positions. This can lead to backaches and headaches, neck pain, and numbness in your arm and wrist. However, you can avoid this by moving enough and stretching.