If you’re considering a career as a dental assistant, you’re on the right track toward a stable and rewarding profession. Dental assistants are crucial in dental clinics, working alongside dentists to ensure patients receive high-quality oral care. The responsibilities of a dental assistant range from taking x-rays and polishing teeth to assisting with various procedures and maintaining patient records.
Success in this field requires personal and professional qualities that can significantly affect a dental assistant’s effectiveness. Here are five essential qualities of an excellent dental assistant and how Discovery Community College’s program helps develop them.
1. Strong Communication Skills
Interacting with patients, dentists, and other dental professionals is key to the job. A great dental assistant must explain procedures, provide aftercare instructions, and reassure nervous patients.
Effective communication helps create a comfortable environment, ensuring patients feel at ease. Through hands-on training at Discovery Community College, students learn how to communicate clearly and professionally with patients and dental team members, fostering strong patient relations.
2. Attention to Detail
A dental assistant must be highly attentive to details when preparing instruments, assisting in procedures, and maintaining accurate patient records. Minor errors can significantly affect dental care, making precision and thoroughness essential.
In our program, students practice detailed dental procedures, record-keeping, and sterilization techniques to ensure accuracy and efficiency in their future dental assistant roles.
3. Compassion and Empathy
Many patients experience anxiety when visiting the dentist, and a dental assistant’s ability to offer reassurance and empathy can make a difference. Being compassionate and patient helps create a positive experience for children and adults undergoing treatment.
At Discovery Community College, students gain experience working with actual patients, allowing them to develop the empathy and interpersonal skills necessary to succeed in a healthcare setting.
4. Manual Dexterity and Technical Skills
Working in a dental setting requires steady hands and excellent coordination to assist in intricate procedures. Whether it’s taking impressions, polishing teeth, or applying fluoride treatments, dental assistants need precise motor skills.
Our Level II Dental Assistant Training program provides extensive clinical training, allowing students to refine their manual dexterity in a real-world dental environment.
5. Organizational and Multitasking Abilities
A dental assistant juggles multiple responsibilities daily, from scheduling appointments and preparing treatment rooms to assisting in procedures and educating patients on oral hygiene. Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask efficiently are crucial in managing these tasks effectively.
Discovery Community College’s structured curriculum emphasizes time management and administrative skills, preparing students to handle the fast-paced nature of dental offices confidently.
Become an Excellent Dental Assistant Today!
With job openings for dental assistants expected to grow in British Columbia, now is a great time to pursue this fulfilling career. At Discovery Community College, our Level II Dental Assistant program is designed to equip students with the practical skills and clinical expertise needed to thrive in this profession.
With hands-on training in a fully equipped on-site dental clinic and real-world experience working with actual patients, our graduates enter the workforce with confidence. Graduates are well-prepared to take the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) written exam and begin rewarding careers.
Are you ready to become a dental assistant?
Contact Discovery Community College for more information!