www.dotcomhunter.com Duties of Dental Assistants Dental Assistants are very versatile. They are well trained in a variety of areas to properly assist Dentists and Hygienists perform quality den tal work on all individuals. The duties will depend on the state regulat ions, the type of dental facility, and how that particular facility has their operations set up. Often the smaller the dental facility, the more types of duties the Dental Assistant will be trained in. Typical Dental Assistant tasks include sterilizing instruments and set ting up instrument trays. The proper cleansing and sterilizing of dent al instruments is a detrimental part of providing quality service to a ll patients. Instrument trays are set up with the proper tools and equ ipment that can possibly be needed for a particular dental procedure. Dental Assistants get these materials together and in the area where t he procedure will take place. This helps things run smoothly and allow s the Dentist or Hygienist to remain focused on the procedure. It elim inates searching for each item as it is needed. Dental Assistants often remain with the dentist or Hygienist during th e procedures. They are responsible for suction and for handing the ins truments to the other staff throughout the procedures. They are also t here to offer instant assistance if an emergency arises during the pro cedure. In some dental facilities, the Dental Assistant will monitor t he vital signs of all patients as well as administer local anesthetics. Dental Assistants often help to make patients feel comfortable before , during, and after their procedures. They can offer a king word, hel p adjust lighting and chair position, and provide the patient with fo llow up information to care for their procedures. Dental Assistants a re often asked to make phone calls and follow up on the recovery proc ess for some patients after major procedures including root canals, b ridges, and extractions. It is common for Dental Assistants to perform X-rays and other lab pr ocedures including castings for caps and bridges. They often talk to patients about their medical history and any types of communicable di seases. They discuss proper care after procedures to ensure patients do all they can to allow their procedures to heal properly. They may even call in prescriptions as a courtesy to patients. Dental Assistants are trained in emergency procedures. While it is un likely anything will go wrong in the dental office, occasionally it d oes. Some individuals suffer from an allergic reaction to the anesthe tic and require medical attention. Others may swallow something and c hoke during a procedure. Other times a patient may stop breathing. Kn owing CPR and properly monitoring vital signs are all valuable in a c risis situation in the medical facility. A gift from www.dotcomhunter.comwww.dotcomhunter.com As you can see, Dental Assistants are often trained in a wide variety o f processes and procedures. This will help ensure they keep busy as wel l as add variety to their daily routine in the workplace. Dental Assist ants must learn quickly as well as pay attention to details. Their role is very important to the overall functioning of the entire dental faci lity. The duties of a Dental Assistant are constantly changing depending o n the needs of the patients and changes in technology. It is importa nt that Dental Assistants keep up on such changes. Often, their empl oyer will require them to attend trainings, workshops, and seminars to keep up with all the changes and brush up in any areas necessary to provide the best possible services. PPPPP Word Count 560 A gift from www.dotcomhunter.com