What Is a Dental Assistant? And How to Become One?

If you're interested in becoming a dental assistant, this article is for you. It covers everything from what it means to be a dental assistant to the qualifications needed to get the job.

What is a dental assistant?

Dental assistants help dentists, hygienists and other health care providers by performing various tasks such as cleaning teeth and filling cavities, scheduling appointments and answering phones.

Most dental assistants work full-time jobs, but some work part-time while pursuing additional education, such as going directly into medical school after obtaining their license. They may eventually specialise further within that field.

Job Overview:

Dental assistants perform a wide range of duties and are patients' first point of contact. They may be in charge of taking care of the paperwork, scheduling appointments and setting up procedures. In addition to providing support for the dentist, dental assistants can also be called dental hygienists (DHs).

Dental assistants are often asked to perform administrative tasks such as filing insurance claims or assisting with billing at check-in stations in dental offices. Other duties include making house calls on behalf of dentists; maintaining patient records; preparing X-ray films; providing treatments such as scaling or polishing teeth using fluorides and sealants; taking X-rays if needed by a particular patient; ordering supplies from suppliers such as crowns or bridges before delivering them directly into clients' mouths.

How to become a certified dental assistant in India:

1. You will need to complete 12th Grade in Science with a specialisation in Biology.

2. You can opt for a Dental Training Course/Certification program that includes classroom instruction, clinical practice and hands-on experience on the job. The training period varies depending on your chosen institute, but it usually takes three to six months to complete this course before you are eligible to apply for an entry-level job at a dental clinic or hospital as an assistant dentist.

3. Certification isn't required. However, there are some benefits of being certified:a. Certification can improve job prospects and pay. Employers often require applicants who are certified or have completed additional training programs to be considered for jobs as dental assistants.b. Certification can improve job security. It will make the job search easier.

4. Find a job and get experience! Now that you are aware of what a dental assistant is and how to become one, it's time to find a job! Talk with people who have been successful in the field and see if they can advise on getting a job and what areas are currently hiring.

   If you need help deciding before opting for it as a career, Glow & Lovely Careers (formerly Fair & Lovely Career Foundation) offers free career guidance. You can also upskill yourself withfree online coursesand make a resume for free to apply for work. An also upskill yourself with free online courses and make a resume for free to apply for work.