Schools are meant to prepare you for a job and your future in general. The question is “what does a dental assistant school prepare you for?”

Well, a lot of opportunities, actually. Besides becoming a dentist’s assistant, you have several career paths to choose from afterward.

Let’s take an in-depth look at what your future holds for you:

Your Job as a Dental Assistant

After being hired, you’ll find you have a wide range of tasks to complete. In essence, your job is to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. This could mean talking to patients or directly helping a dentist. Those are the two main types of tasks.

Working with patients:

• Scheduling appointments. You will make sure every patient is treated in a timely and organized manner.
• Explaining proper oral hygiene. Surprisingly, many people do not know how to take care of their teeth. It’s your job to change that.
• Billing and patient records. It’s important for assistants to be organized because they also do paperwork.
• Ensuring that people are relaxed. Whether the chair is uncomfortable or due the nerves, patients may be a bit on edge sometimes. You’ll help them wind down.

Working with the dentist:

• Sterilizing instruments. As you know, the tools used in a procedure must be cleaned very well afterward.
• Helping dentists in a procedure. Replacing teeth or dentures are not a one-man-job. You will hand the dentist his/her instruments or keep the patient’s mouth dry.
• Processing X-rays. You will have several lab tasks as an assistant, but this one will probably be the most common.

By going to a dental assistant school, you are preparing for a challenging but rewarding job. After some time at the dentist’s office, though, you gain access to many other professions.

The Career Paths You Can Pursue

“One of the main advantages of dental assisting is you can use it as a career launch-pad” states Burke Dental. There are other jobs that require similar but not quite identical skill sets that you can get. Here are just two examples:

1. Surgical Technologist

Also called operating room technicians, technologists assist surgeons with operations. There are no vast differences between this job and that of a dental assistant.

You will be tasked with disinfecting the instruments, the operating room, and the incision site. You will also bring the items surgeons will need during the operation.

Compared to a dentist’s office, the stakes are higher here as the procedures are more serious. Many of the required skills, however, are taught at a dental assistant school.

2. Dental Hygienist

This position is also similar to a dental assistant but you enjoy more liberty. Your responsibilities are also more important, of course.

Instead of staying at a dentist’s side, you’ll be in charge of your own procedures. You may even have your own assistants. The job usually revolves around cleaning teeth, applying sealants and devising treatment plans.

If you are passionate about dentistry, this position is a great choice. There are many other paths you can take. You can become a physical therapist assistant, a pharmacy technician, or a nursing assistant.

Why a Dental Assistant School Is an Excellent Career Choice

If you feel like you have the needed skills, dental assisting can create opportunities to advance in a whole industry for you.

The dental industry is growing very fast, so finding a job isn’t that hard. The salaries are competitive and, above all else, you get to help other people.

We are here to help you learn and perfect your skills. Learn more about the Dental Assisting School of Georgia and the bright future that awaits you.