Dental assistant and Oral Hygienist Career Description
Dentists need a competent dental assistant to help them perform various and sometimes complicated procedures speedily, with minimum discomfort to the patient and with maximum efficiency.
An oral hygienist on the other hand is a professional oral health educator, who aids individuals to attain and maintain optimum oral health. A consulting room within the dentist's practice is available to the oral hygienist whereas dental assistants assist the dentist in their tasks.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Dental assistant
The dental assistant is trained in dentistry techniques and if the employer does not have a receptionist, the dental assistant also performs general office duties. The dental assistant meets the patients, puts them at ease and prepares them for examinations, treatments or surgical procedures.
The dental assistant should have a thorough knowledge of the instruments required for every dental procedure, as well as the steps in the procedure to be able to pass instruments to the dentist in the correct sequence. The dental assistant prepares dental materials and injections and rinses and cleans the mouth. The assistant must ensure proper vision for the dentist by adjusting the light above the patient.
Dental assistants also assist with the taking and developing of X-ray photographs. They are also responsible for proper sterilisation of instruments and maintenance of dental
equipment.
Oral hygienist
The oral hygienist gives oral health education on an individual and group basis, as well as complete scaling, root planing, polishing of the teeth and polishing of restorations. The oral hygienist is able to take intra and extra-oral X-rays used in dentistry. The treatment may also include fluoride treatment, application of fissure sealant, and the detection of early signs of tooth and gum diseases and desensitising sensitive teeth. The oral hygienist also assists during dental
operations. A dentist usually refers patients to the oral hygienist.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
Both a dental assistant and an oral hygienist must have the ability to work with people. They should display a professional and empathetic attitude towards the public, especially children. They should always be friendly, polite, tactful, helpful and confident.
Enthusiasm, interest, patience and responsibility are also important qualities. Practical skill and neatness are of vital importance.
Where can I work?
Employment opportunities exist at private and group practices, dental clinics and hospitals, government departments, provincial administrations, local authorities, universities.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
The dental assistant is employed by a dentist.
An oral hygienist can only perform tasks on the instruction and as a responsibility of a dentist. Oral hygienists usually have their own fully equipped rooms in a dental clinic or hospital or within the dentist's rooms.
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