After completing comprehensive dental assistant training, you’ll gain practical experience in the field. You’ll be equipped to assist in delivering quality oral healthcare, thereby contributing significantly to healthcare settings.
A prevalent problem is the occurrence of oral disease in people of all ages. More people are becoming more sensitive to their dental health, and oral disease prevention is at the top of their list, for obvious reasons. So if you’re done with your dental assistant training and you’re keen on oral disease prevention, here are some common themes you’ll be exploring.
Understanding Oral Diseases and Educating Others
During your dental assistant training, you’d have learned about various oral diseases and conditions that can impact dental health. Now that you’re done with your training and are in a dental health setting, you’ll be responsible for helping your patients appreciate their dental health and prevent oral disease.
Some of the most prevalent oral diseases include tooth decay (caries), gum disease (periodontitis), and dental infections. By understanding the various causes, symptoms, and risk factors associated with these conditions, you can make vital contributions to the dental health of your patients. You can help them understand the causes of these diseases and direct patients on how to prevent them.
Dental Assistant Training Emphasizes Good Oral Hygiene Promotion
As dental assistants fresh from dental assistant college, you must promote good oral hygiene practices at every opportunity. In your position as a dental health professional, you will be constantly educating patients on the importance of good oral hygiene.
In its simplest form, you emphasize basic dental hygiene routines, such as brushing teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. You may also discuss daily flossing of teeth, and the use of mouthwash to curtail plaque buildup and prevent cavities and gum disease. Starting with these basics, encourage your patients to schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
Providing Nutritional Counselling
The role of nutrition in oral health care can not be emphasized enough. Our eating habits affect our oral health in ways we don’t always appreciate. One of your duties as a dental assistant is to remind your patients of the link between food and dental health.
You may be responsible for offering valuable nutritional counseling to patients, advising patients to reduce sugary drinks and foods, as mouth bacteria thrive on these sugars, leading to dental issues. Instead, a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy is recommended to promote oral health.
By providing valuable nutritional counseling to your patients, you can aid in preventing oral diseases. To be effective, you must have extensive knowledge and the confidence to communicate your message effectively to patients.
Students at DCC are renowned for their knowledge and confidence, which are essential traits for success in the dental assistant field. Kiel Yablonski, a healthcare assistant graduate, knows all about them. In his words, “Discovery Community College gave me the training and skills to enter the workforce. The small class size, hands-on training, and superb teaching gave me confidence and knowledge.”
Elevating Your Career with DCC: Continuous Learning and Professional Edge
Discovery Community College (DCC) provides the foundational knowledge necessary for a dental assistant career and emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and staying updated with the latest dental practices.
This commitment to education ensures that DCC graduates are well-equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to excel in the oral healthcare field. They are prepared to meet the evolving demands of dental care, making them highly competitive and effective in promoting oral health and disease prevention.
Are you looking to launch your dental assistant career?
Contact Discovery Community College to learn how to get started.