A Career as a Dental Assistant

What is a Dental Assistant?

A Dental Assistant is a highly and well regarded profession. The role of a Dental Assistant is a respected and valuable asset to a practice and is the dentist's right hand in providing a high level of patient care and in administering dental procedures. A Dental Assistant works very closely with the Dentist and the Dental Receptionist to ensure the smooth running of patient appointments and clinical procedures.

A Dental Assistant's duties includes a combination of patient care, administration and laboratory duties and may include all or some of the following duties:

• Welcome the patient and ensure the patient is comfortable in the dental chair
• Prepare the patient for treatment
• Record patient information and dental records
• Set up and prepare instruments for procedures
• Work beside the dentist holding and handing instruments to the dentist
• Keep patient’s mouth dry and clear by using suction or other devices
• Develop X-rays
• Make casts of teeth from dental impressions
• Sterilise dental instruments and equipment
• Ordering and stocking of dental supplies
• Liaise and co-ordinate with laboratory
• Discuss treatment and care plans with patients
• Apply anaesthetics and cavity preventative agents to teeth and gums
• Remove excess cements used in the filling process
• Assist in placing rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment
• Clean and polish removable appliances
• Make temporary crowns
• Provide instructions to patients on medicine and oral healthcare education
• Answer incoming calls and attend to patient enquiries
• Schedule Appointments (make, confirm and recall)
• Invoicing and receipting

Career Opportunities

The dental industry is one of the fastest growing industries and there is a huge demand for Dental Assistants.

A Dental Assistant can obtain employment in the following environments:

• Private practice for a solo practitioner or group dental practice
• Work in a specialised practice i.e. orthodontics, periodontics, endodontics, paediatric dentistry, prosthodontics and maxillo and oral surgery
• Public health i.e. community services
• Hospital dental clinic

There are many career opportunities within the dental industry. A Dental Assistant may branch out into the role of a Dental Receptionist or progress into a Practice Manager position, or advance into a Dental Therapist/Hygienist position.

The Dental Assistant Training Programme

Our Dental Assistant Training programme is designed to give students the initial experience to gain employment within the dental industry and our aim is to get students working in the dental industry either through our job placement assistance and/or career guidance. We also provide Dental Traineeship opportunities.

This course teaches students the core foundation of attributes, skills and knowledge to become a top quality Dental Assistant that will be highly regarded and sought after within the dental profession.

Students will learn how to provide a high level of patient care, become aware and anticipate the dentist's needs and requirements as well as provide a high level of clinical assistance to the dentist.

In this course you will learn:

• The Role of a Dental Assistant
• Front Reception
• Stock Management
• Familiarisation with the Dental Surgery & Dental Equipment
• Dental Terminology/Diseases
• Dental Charting
• Understanding Dental Procedures & Dental Treatments
• Infection Control

To view our full course outline, please download our brochure.

Our Dental Assistant Training Programme is conducted weekly at Chatswood and monthly at the Central Coast and the Hunter.

To register for our Dental Assistant Training Programme, please contact Amanda on 02 4353 5894 or email amandac@exemail.com.au