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Job Corps course title: Dental Assisting. Students in this class prepare for employment as a dental chairside and front office assistant. Clinical experience in a dental office is a regular part of class activities.
On the job, Dental Assistants get patients ready for examination or treatment and make sure that patients are relaxed and comfortable. They check to see that all supplies, instruments, and equipment are ready. They help the dentist at the chair side by mixing compounds for fillings, handling a suction tool to keep the patient's mouth clear, and handing instruments to the dentist. Technical duties include instrument and room sterilization and inventory and care of equipment. Assistants may do lab work and teach patients about dental hygiene. Assistants who are certified in radiation safety can take dental X-rays. Dental Assistants take impressions of teeth for diagnosis, remove stitches and dressings, and give fluoride treatments when working with the dentist.
Assistants may also do clerical duties such as making appointments, keeping case records, handling billing and payment, and handling patient dental insurance.
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Dental Assistants work in medical offices. The examination room is quiet, fairly comfortable if the assistant is sitting, and brightly lit. Assistants may have to stand while helping the dentist at the chair, but
modern methods now make it possible to do many chair side duties while seated. A Dental Assistant's job is often stressful due to the nature of the work. Sometimes a patient's treatment can be painful, so Assistants must be able to comfort and calm down worried and frightened patients.
Assistants have to be careful to protect patients and themselves from infection. Assistants must wear safety eye glasses, rubber gloves, and masks over their mouths while working chair side.
There aren't many promotional opportunities for Dental Assistants. Those who become RDAs or learn dental technician work make more money. In big offices where a lot of dentists work together, an assistant may get to office supervisor or manager. Dental assistants are often selected over other candidates if they apply for Dental Hygienist training.
The projected growth in Santa Clara County for 1997 to 2004 is 34 percent, which is faster than average.
Statewide Dental Assistants is one of California's top fifty fastest growth occupations.
Santa Clara County
Entry Level/No Experience |
Median
$10.00 |
Low
$8.00 |
High
$18.00 |
To enroll in this San Jose Job Corps Course: 540 TABE Math/Reading score OR GED/HS diploma required. Successful completion of Job Corps office procedures class required. Excellent social skills required.
Job specific skills: Employers prefer applicants who have completed a Dental Assistant training program. The California Dental Assistants Association recommends a one or two year program approved by the
Council on Dental Education of the American Dental Association.
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