Why Dental Assistants Are Vital Members Of Your Dental Team

The American Dental Assistants Association designates the first week of March as Dental Assistants Recognition Week (DARW). DARW is designed to celebrate the vital role every dental assistant plays in your overall oral health–and with good reason. Every dental practice is built around a dental team, and a dentist’s services are only as good as the dental assistants on that team. Dentists do a lot of things, but they rarely do them on their own. Having great dental assistants on your team is the key to getting the best results possible since they are the connection that keeps the team running flawlessly. This is why dental assistants are vital members of your dental team.

Do I Have a Dental Assistant on My Dental Team?

When you go to the dentist, you’ll notice two people: the dentist who does the work on your teeth and the person next to them who helps. That other person is a dental assistant, and they are an important part of the dental team.

Every dentist has at least one dental assistant working in their practice. They fill an important role by providing support for the dentist both working together and separately from the dentist. You may not immediately recognize their contributions but they contribute in many big ways.

It’s important to remember that your dental assistant is also trained and qualified to work on your teeth and handle dental practices. The difference between the dental assistant and the dentist is in certifications, training, and qualifications. Both are skilled in working with dental patients, but the dentist is qualified as a doctor and can work extensively with patients. Your dental assistant is qualified to handle many of the less invasive dental procedures and likely has a lot of experience or training in helping with the invasive procedures.

What Do Dental Assistants Do?

Dental assistants do several very important things in a dental practice. Where you see them shine the most is in handling non-invasive procedures. For example, a dental assistant usually handles taking x-rays of your mouth so that the dentist can assess your condition. The quality of the X-rays is largely dependent on the dental assistant’s ability to position the camera and associated equipment. A good dental assistant can get a clear x-ray of your teeth in one shot per frame, minimizing your exposure to radiation and providing the best possible images for your dentist to work from.

Dental assistants also work alongside hygienists and dentists to perform more complex procedures. While the dentist is focused on the actual procedure, the dental assistant focuses on the prep work and giving the dentist support during the procedure. That means preparing tools using proper sterilization methods, getting tools out for procedures, and making sure that the dentist uses the proper tools for each part of the procedure.

The dental assistant also double-checks things after the procedure to make sure that all of the tools and resources are accounted for. That way, nothing is left out of place to cause problems later.

Dental Assistants are the Point of Contact Between the Patient and the Practice

Dentists and hygienists are often busy in their practice and stretched thin with everything that they have to do. Your dental assistant is your point of contact between you and the practice.

Not only will you spend more time with a dental assistant, but they are also responsible for getting you ready for procedures and coordinating services. In many cases, the skills and abilities of your dental assistant determine how your visit goes. A good dental assistant is skilled at working one-on-one with patients to get everything ready so that when the dentist comes, everything is in place and goes smoothly.

Dental Assistants Take the Lead on Patient Safety

Since they spend more time working one-on-one with patients, dental assistants take the lead on patient safety. That means managing what is happening around the practice and making sure safety procedures are all in place. More than that, they focus on making sure that procedures are followed that directly correlate to patient safety.

For example, a dental assistant will ensure proper storage and implementation of tools and keep them safely away from patients until they are needed. That way, accidents do not happen in the practice. Dental assistants also limit the spread of diseases by managing the sterilization and isolation processes to make sure that tools and disposable supplies are handled appropriately.

Dental Assistants Are the Core of the Dental Team

More than anything else, dental assistants keep the dental team running smoothly. They are the core of everything, coordinating patients, administrative staff, and dentists to efficiently finish every appointment without issues. Without dental assistants, a practice would quickly fall apart. That’s why dentists put a lot of effort into picking the right dental assistants for their practices. A group of bad or ineffective dental assistants can mean the end of a dental practice.

How Do I Know If I Have Good Dental Assistants on My Dental Team?

There are signs that you can look for to know if the dental assistants on your dental team are good. The most important sign to look for is how the dental assistant works with you. Are they attentive to your needs? Do they communicate well? Does your dental appointment go smoothly? All of these are signs that your dental assistant is the right fight for your dental team.

Choose the Right Dental Team

Results mean a lot when it comes to dental procedures. You want to have the best team possible for your procedures, which is why you need to spend time picking the right provider.

At Eriks Dental Group, we are focused on providing the best care by assembling the best team. Every procedure is a chance to give someone a better, happier smile. We are staffed by dental assistants with the right combination of enthusiasm, skills, and commitment to providing excellent service. Contact Eriks Dental Group at (561) 733-4004 to schedule an appointment and discover what it’s like to work with an exceptional dental team that puts your needs first.