Who is a dental assistant? What are his/her tasks? What is it like to become a dental assistant? You will find answers to these questions in the coming paragraphs.
Dental Assistants work under the supervision and guidance of qualified Dentists. They are paramedical professionals who directly assist Dentists. Dental Assistants assist Dentists in performing tasks like examination, treatment and surgery.
COURSES
- Diploma course
- Certificate course
DIPLOMA COURSES
Some popular dental assistant diploma courses are
- Diploma in Dental Assistant
- Diploma in Dental Operating Room Assistant (DORA)
- Diploma in Dental Mechanics
- Diploma in Dental Technician
Out of the courses mentioned above, the DORA course is slightly advanced in nature. It focuses extensively on surgical aspects of dentistry.
Course duration:
Typical Diploma course lasts for a period of 2 years. Depending upon the institute, course duration may vary.
Eligibility criteria:
10+2 passed from a recognized board is the minimum qualification required. If minimum aggregate marks criteria exist, it is generally around 45-55% aggregate marks.
Admission process:
Depending upon the institute, it could be direct admission or a merit-based admission process. Most institutes follow a merit-based admission process. Under this process, marks scored by students in the board examination are taken into consideration. Deserving candidates are given admission, based on the merit marks scored by them.
CERTIFICATE COURSES
Certificate in Dental Assistant is a paramedical certificate course. Though the certificate course is not as valuable as its Diploma counterpart, it is enough to acquire basic dental assistant skills.
Course duration:
Depending upon the institute, course duration could be anywhere between 6 to 12 months.
Eligibility criteria:
10th passed from a recognized board is the minimum qualification required.
Admission process:
Direct admission or merit-based admission process (depends upon the institute).
College / Institute –
- Maulana Azad institute of dental sciences, New Delhi
- Government dental college and hospital, Mumbai
- Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai
Job Roles -
- Communicating with patients and preparing them for examination and/or surgery
- Setting up equipment and instruments
- Sterilization and cleaning of surgical instruments and equipment
- Arranging equipment and instruments
- Prepare materials and equipment for making casts, impressions, and restorations
- Take care of pre, intra and post-surgical activities
- Assist Dentist in examination and surgery
- Front office clerical work
- Laboratory work