Dental assistants are crucial to a busy dentist’s office. Without them, the office would close down and patients wouldn’t get the attention they need to stay healthy.
Become a dental assistant in Tulsa and work alongside dentists and hygienists to help patients maintain their oral health. Our hybrid learning program includes in-person labs at a local dental practice once a week, coupled with at-home self-paced online lectures.
Patient Care
As a Dental Assistant, you perform a variety of patient care and office duties to make patients as comfortable as possible during dental procedures. This includes taking and recording medical history, applying dental materials or cleanings and exposing and developing X-rays to help detect tooth decay.
In addition, you may be responsible for assisting dentists during chairside treatments and scheduling appointments. You’re also likely to be asked to complete insurance forms and billing.
A top-notch clinical dental assistant will use the latest equipment, technology and tools to deliver the best patient experience possible. This includes providing oral hygiene, plaque control and postoperative instructions. They may also be responsible for pouring, trimming and polishing study casts to help dentists make educated treatment decisions. In short, this is a career that will challenge you to find the most effective ways to deliver top-notch patient care in a high-volume environment. This is a job that requires continuous learning and team cohesion in order to provide the highest level of care.
X-Rays
X-rays use a small amount of radiation to take images of your body. It’s a safe way to get information about bones, muscles and organs.
An X-ray machine shoots a beam of radiation through your body to produce images on a specialized plate. Depending on what type of X-ray is being taken, you’ll need to keep still so that the radiologist can get clear pictures.
Some types of X-rays use a substance called contrast dye to help show soft tissues more clearly. You may receive this dye orally (by mouth) or by injection.
You’ll also need to remove jewelry, eyeglasses or other metal objects. X-rays can also be used to check bone density.
X-rays are often used to diagnose dental or other health problems. Your doctor or dentist can use them to examine your teeth, gums and other tissues in your mouth, jaw, throat and body. They can also be used to diagnose and treat diseases or conditions that affect your lungs, heart, blood vessels, kidneys or internal organs.
Scheduling
Dental assistants play a key role in a patient’s appointment and ensure that the appointment is as smooth and painless as possible. This includes greeting patients, escorting them to their examination room, and helping them prepare for the procedure.
A dental assistant’s duties also include assisting dentists during their procedures, taking X-rays, and providing oral care to patients as they undergo exams. They must be able to handle a variety of tasks at once and have strong time management skills.
Appointment scheduling is a complex process that must consider many factors, including service variability, patient or provider preferences, experience of the scheduling staff, and availability of information technology. Appropriate scheduling reduces waiting times and patient frustration while maintaining the practice’s productivity goals.
Insurance
Dental assistants work under the guidance of a dentist to perform a variety of tasks, such as taking X-rays and setting up equipment. For those who are especially interested in working with patients and doctors, the role of dental assisting can be an exciting one.
Depending on their state laws and regulations, many DAs are certified to perform a wide range of expanded functions, such as assisting with oral surgery or taking impressions for prosthetics.
A well-rounded DA is a valuable member of any team, able to perform the most mundane tasks with utmost efficiency while also demonstrating an expertise in the field. A good DA should be able to identify the most important treatment plans, help patients navigate their insurance benefits, and offer the best advice about dental care in Tulsa.