What Is a Day in the Life of a Dental Assistant Like?
Learn What a Dental Assistant Does, and How IntelliTec College, in Grand Junction, CO., Can Train You for this Great Career!
Are you interested in training for a healthcare career? Have you considered training for a career as a dental assistant? If you are considering training for a career as a dental assistant, but you’re not sure what this career is really like or if it’s right for you, then you probably want to learn more about what you can expect from this career path. Here we explain what a day in the life of a dental assistant is like, what a dental assistant does, and how you can train for a dental assisting career in as few as 10.5 months with IntelliTec College.
What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
Working in dental offices and clinics, dental assistants are often responsible for both administrative and clinical tasks and are primarily responsible for supporting dentists. Dental assistants provide hands-on care, working alongside dentists to provide patients with the highest level of care. Because they work directly with patients, dental assistants often provide a means of communication between the patient and the dentist.
What Is a Career as a Dental Assistant Like?
Dental assistants are the backbone of any dental practice, juggling patient care, administrative tasks, and technical duties with precision and compassion. To help you get an idea of what a dental assisting career is really like, here’s what a day in the life of a dental assistant looks like:
As a dental assistant, your day typically begins early, around 7:30 or 8:00 a.m. Your first task is usually to prepare treatment rooms before patients arrive, which includes sterilizing instruments and setting up trays with the necessary tools. The dental assistant then checks for any new messages and reviews the day’s schedule. When patients begin to arrive, the dental assistant greets them and escorts them to the exam room. The dental assistant then gathers any health history updates and takes X-rays if needed.
Throughout their work day, the dental assistant works chairside to support the dentist during exams and procedures. The dental assistant hands instruments to the dentist, uses suction devices to keep the patient’s mouth clear, and makes sure the patient is comfortable and informed. This role requires constant attention to detail, whether mixing materials for fillings, taking impressions for crowns, or recording patient information.
In between appointments, the dental assistant cleans and disinfects rooms, restocks supplies, and manages sterilization protocols. Many also handle front office duties, such as scheduling appointments, billing, and answering phones. It’s a role that demands multitasking, people skills, and technical know-how.
At the end of a busy day, the dental assistant tidies up and prepares the office for the next day. Though the job can be physically demanding, the reward lies in helping people feel better, easing dental anxiety, and being part of a team that improves oral health every day.
Is a Dental Assistant Career Right for Me?
If the life of a dental assistant sounds interesting to you, consider training for this stimulating and rewarding career with IntelliTec College! IntelliTec College, in Grand Junction, Colorado, offers a comprehensive Dental Assistant training program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to enter this field.
Dental Assistant Training at IntelliTec College
At IntelliTec College, the Dental Assistant training program is structured to provide a well-rounded education, blending theoretical knowledge with practical clinical experience. The curriculum covers a range of topics, including Oral Health & Periodontics, Anatomy & Morphology, Dental Science, Operative & Chair Side Assisting, Dental Radiology, Laboratory Procedures, and more. An off-site externship provides students with valuable real-world experience and the opportunity to practice skills learned during the program. The program can be completed in as few as 10.5 months, and graduates are prepared to sit for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam; please note that 3500 hours of general chairside office training is required before taking the exam.
Train for Your Dental Assistant Career with IntelliTec College!
A career as a dental assistant can be greatly rewarding. If you think this career path is a good fit for you, consider training with IntelliTec College! With IntelliTec College’s dental assistant programs, you can learn the necessary administrative and clinical skills to enter this rewarding career path in as few as 10.5 months! IntelliTec College, in Grand Junction, Colorado, is an excellent choice for your career training. Call us at (970) 245-8101 or contact us here to get started today.
