New Dental Assistant Resources Online
Dental assistant resources are probably one of the most important, and often most overlooked keys that are vital to the continued success of any dental assistant career. Resources can work on your behalf in one of two ways. Let’s take a look at them.
The Small, Private Practice Dental Office: If you are a dental assistant currently employed in a small town private practice, online resources can be exactly what you need to keep you ahead of the game. Unless you are planning on sticking with one dental office for the rest of your dental assistant career, it’s vital to keep up with advancements, continuing education opportunities, dental news, new products and equipment, and other practical dental topics.
By taking advantage of online resources such as video podcasts, newsletters, e-publications, product reviews, and updates to the field of dentistry you will be putting yourself in the front of the line as the “go to person” for advice, information, and all things pertaining to dentistry. Keeping up by taking advantage of resources is also an excellent way to prove your dedication to your career and to the industry as a whole. Guess who will be up for a leader or management position if it comes available? Even if there isn’t room for growth in your current dental office, by keeping up with the industry and continuing to learn and grow in your career, you’ll be certain to be considered for a position with a larger dental office or even employment in a larger, higher paying demographic.
The Larger Dental Office: In a larger, faster paced, and more education driven dental office you’ll be expected to keep up with current dental news and information. You’ll also be expected to continue your education. Is the dentist going to tell you this? He may or may not, but more than likely he will simply observe the competence level of the dental assistants in his office and file the information away in his mind. When it comes time for a raise or if layoffs are needed, he will remember who the most valuable, as well as most dispensable team members are and act accordingly.
Dental Assistant Resources
The DANB, or Dental Assisting National Board provides two useful publications that feature requirements, information and resources, all conveniently listed according to state. The publications are as follows:
- State Career Ladder Templates for Dental Assistants
- State Fact Booklet for Dental Assistants
These resources provide plenty of information for dental assistants, including state by state rules and regulations for dental assistants, training and dental assistant exam requirements, job functions allowed according to state, charts highlighting job designations, continuing education for dental assistants, levels of supervision required by state, and more. This information is especially useful to dental assistants confused about certain duties they are allowed to perform, or for those interested in relocating.
The State Facts for Dental Assistants includes acceptable dental practices, acts that are directly related to and affect the dental assistant, and also provides salary information, and even a section on how to advance in your career by expanding the duties you are currently trained for.
Another excellent resource is the American Dental Association website (ADA.org). This is a “must” as far as resources go. The ADA website offers an easy to maneuver website packed with publications, resources for professionals, oral health topics, CEU information, along with product reviews, dental podcasts, and more. The ADA website should be one of the number one resources for the serious dental assistant.