Signs You Should be a Dental Assistant
Date: July 22, 2022
Have you considered a career as a Dental Assistant but haven’t taken the ‘leap?’ We have put together a list of traits common to those who thrive in the profession.
If you identify with our list and are passionate about helping others achieve better smiles, you may want to look seriously into Dental Assisting.
1. You Seek Regular Work Hours
First, you seek regular hours. Do you have a passion for healthcare but are not looking forward to late-night shifts, holiday rounds, back-to-back weekends, or 2 AM paperwork? Unlike medical settings that require 24/7 staffing, dental offices typically function within more traditional business hours. While the industry has some unexpected triage, procedures are generally preventative, scheduled—even expected, and often neatly tucked into 9–5, Monday–Friday schedules.1
2. You’re a People Person
Second, you’re a people person. Primarily, a Dental Assistant interacts constantly and closely with patients and co-workers. Moving from patient to patient, they work near others—often physically touching patients. If you’re an extrovert, if your ‘batteries are recharged’ when around people, or if putting smiles on others’ faces puts a smile on your face—keep reading.
3. You Thrive in Fast-Paced Environments
Third, you thrive in fast-paced environments. Rarely is a Dental Assistant bored. The dental office is a dynamic space with back-to-back appointments, shifting workloads, revolving patient exams, and individualized procedures. Dental Assistants encounter learning opportunities working with patient charting, changing healthcare plans, and different insurance providers. Give the profession a second look, especially if you like your daily routine changed up.
4. You’re an Organized Person
Fourth, you’re an organized person. Regulated charting, individualized patient care loads, and layers of details require one in the profession to be well-organized. The role is ideal for those who like creating systems or breaking complex challenges into small parts while implementing the order. Even if you want the look of neat, well-ordered office boxes—check the proverbial ‘box’ here for your new career.
5. The Job Outlook
Fifth, you appreciate a stable job outlook. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, “As the large baby boomer population ages and as people keep more of their original teeth than previous generations, the need to maintain and treat teeth will lead to continued increases in the need for dental care. Further, projected employment growth for this profession is seven percent from 2019–2029, faster than the average for other occupations.
Consequently, ongoing research linking oral health and general well-being will continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services. Moreover, dentists will continue to hire dental assistants to complete routine tasks. Doing so allows dentists to handle more patients and work more efficiently. Therefore, as dental practices grow, more dental assistants will be needed.”2
Interested in the Vocation?
All in all, if you like the list above, you may have what it takes. Do you seriously want to consider Dental Assisting? If so, check out our programs today.~
Citations:
1 Dental Assistants In. “Detail Occupational Guide.” Employment Development Department of California. (Accessed July 22, 2022.)
2 Dental Assistants. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor. (Accessed May 10, 2021.)
