While growing up, I found myself looking forward to dental visits rather than being scared like most of my peers. I partly attribute this to the kind of treatment that I received while getting my orthodontic treatment, mostly from the dental assistant who always ensured that I was in a lively mood and removed any traces of fear. While choosing career paths, I was drawn to dental assisting since I pride myself in caring for people and I would like to help those with various dental conditions to smile confidently. Having an overseeing team mate who would guide me to help realize this is an added advantage. I would also like to help ease patients’ anxieties and help them to trust in their dentist to realize optimal oral health.
I expect to obtain a wide array of skills from a dental assisting program. I would like to gain practical work experience to perform the standard chair side assisting functions. To begin with, I anticipate that at the end of the training I would be able to perform basic lab procedures, which includes working with x-rays, dentures and molds of teeth, under the dentist’s instruction. The training would also ensure that I am able and competent enough to help with oral surgery and other procedures. Alongside this, the program should also equip me with patient relation skills and the necessary clinical support services. Additionally, I should be able to perform the basic business office duties like keeping patient records, scheduling appointments and working with patients on billing and payments, like with preparing insurance claims.
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After obtaining my RDA, I would like to expand my knowledge and skillset, alongside providing assistance to the practitioner. Currently, there is a wide array of options viable for assistants to expand their knowledge through events with keynote speakers, online courses and webinars. These are mainly offered by the Dentist Assisting National Board (DANB). Alongside improving my assisting skills, this training would tee me up for a career in dental hygiene, which I am also passionate about. The skills learnt while working as a dental assistant would come in handy while examining patients for oral infections and also to educate then on how to improve their oral health.
Currently, the oral care industry needs more trained professionals to perform treatment duties. With so many open positions, the individuals hired to fill these might not be competent or equipped with the necessary training or expertise necessary for the positions. I am hopeful that the skills that I will have acquired by the end of my training will help me to give back to the society by tending to the needs of both the patients and the practitioners. I would like to help practitioners hand out quality health care by easing the pressure associated with the dentist’s appointment by serving both the patient and the dentist according to their needs. Personally, the RDA would help me to develop my career since it’s aligned with my goals of being a competent dental hygienist. In a nutshell, it would provide me with an opportunity to work towards a community with good oral health and hygiene, which I am very passionate about.
References
Career Projections. (2019). Dental Assistants: Career, Salary and Education Information. Retrieved 7 September 2019, from https://collegegrad.com/careers/dental-assistants#related
DANB. (2019). Build Your Credentials. Retrieved 7 September 2019, from https://www.danb.org/Become-Certified/Build-Your-Credentials.aspx
