6 Basics a Dental Auxiliary Should Know

For working and making a career as a dental assistant, there are specific necessary skills and requirements that every dental assistant needs to master. Everything you learn during dental studies, training and practical placement will help you to work efficiently and effectively in the dental industry.

A dental assistant works as a member of a dental team and should know the basics, such as:

1. Infection Control

From heat sterilization and equipment disinfection to hand washing, DAs need to understand how to properly clean, sterilize, and clean instruments in a dental clinic. An Infection Control course, DAs learn how to steam autoclave, package instruments after sterilization, and prepare a dental treatment room.

2. Basic Oral Anatomy

Oral anatomy is essential to know as it’s one of the necessary dental sciences (like Biochemistry, Physiology, and Anatomy.) It is essential for further study and successful dental practice. The oral cavity and the structures that support it affect our appearance and speech. For a DA to recognize deviations in the oral cavity and evaluate the health of the teeth, he or she must first know normal oral anatomy.

3. Dental X-Ray

To receive a license, all DAs in California must get their X-ray California Radiation Health & Safety License first. Also, those who want to pursue radiography specialization will be trained to operate a dental x-ray machine effectively – adjusting exposure time and the controls for voltage, as well as adjusting the x-ray machine for proper exposure.

4. First Aid

Every Dental Assistant must be trained to apply first aid and to perform necessary life support skills because they are working in a clinical health environment. This includes CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and how to control bleeding. DAs receive these certifications during their dental assisting studies. As dental education providers, Dental Specialties Institute, Inc offer courses for CPR certifications that are approved by the American Heart Association and the American Safety & Health Institute (not accepted for an RDA application.)

5. Assisting with Oral Health Procedures

A Dental Assistant must know how to help a Dental Hygienist or Dentist by cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments for oral health procedures, and how to assist with dental procedures and treatments properly. It also includes the use of non-verbal communication skills and the four-handed technique to pass various dental items.

6. Managing Front-of-House Operations

Dental Assistants need to know how to schedule appointments and undertake different administration duties for making sure that the front-of-the-house is organized and clean. Greeting clients, communicating details of their appointment, and conversing effectively over the phone are also skills that a Dental Assistant must have.

Dental Specialties Institute, Inc offers a Basics for the New Auxiliary course. Our certified instructors are there to teach these basics, so you will understand more about the responsibilities and risks that every Dental Assistant faces on the job. This knowledge is essential for assisting the dentist or hygienists, taking radiographs, performing lab work, performing coronal polishing, and other vital tasks.