Dental Assistants work with
dentists as they examine and treat patients. Students in this area
may learn three different occupations. Dental assisting students
learn to prepare patients for treatment, sterilize instruments,
prepare materials and make study models from impressions, expose
and process x-ray film and provide chairside assistance for the
dentist. Dental laboratory technician assistants learn to work
with various dental materials, in order to be able to work in
a dental laboratory assisting with the creation of dental prostheses
(replacements for natural teeth). Pre-dental hygiene students
prepare for dental hygiene school. They learn radiology, anatomy,
dental procedures, instruments, sterilization, and other topics
in preparation for further schooling.
What
you will need
Mechanical aptitude
Ability to work independently
Ability to work as a team
Communication skills
Problem solving/
troubleshooting
skills
Ability to work under pressure
Artistic ability/creativity
Analytical skills
Patience
Endurance
Credentials
you can earn
Certification in
Dental Radiology
Northampton Area
Community College
7 credits (maximum)
|
| What
you will learn
Introduction to health care
Apply principles of
infection
control
Safety and emergency
procedures
Ethical/legal responsibilities
Normal body functions and
common disorders
Patient care and procedures
Office procedures
Pharmacology
Radiology
Operative dentistry
Dental materials
Dental laboratory
procedures
Oral surgery
Periodontics
Prosthodontics
Endodontics
Orthodontics
Pedodontics
Employment
skills
details
Career
possibilities
Circulating
Assistant
Dental Assistant
Dental Laboratory
Technician
Assistant
Pre-Dental Hygiene
Career possibilities with additional education
Certified Laboratory
Technician
Dental Assistant Instructor
Dental Hygienist
Dentist
Earning potential
Dentist
$26,000-100,000/year
Dental Assistant
$11,200-21,200/year
Dental Hygienist
$25,000-35,000/year
Dental Laboratory Technician
$15,000-30,000/year |