Dental assistant
Dental Assistant
A Dental Assistant (pronunciation: /ˈdɛn.təl əˈsɪs.tənt/) is a healthcare professional who supports the work of dentists by providing a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties.
Etymology
The term "Dental Assistant" is derived from the Latin words "dens", meaning "tooth", and "assistere", meaning "to stand by or help".
Roles and Responsibilities
Dental Assistants perform many tasks, ranging from providing patient care and taking x rays to recordkeeping and scheduling appointments. Their duties vary by state and by the dentists' offices where they work.
Education and Training
Most states regulate the duties that Dental Assistants can perform, in some cases requiring them to pass a state exam. In other states, there are no formal educational requirements and Dental Assistants learn their duties through on-the-job training.
Related Terms
- Dentist: A healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats problems with patients' teeth, gums, and related parts of the mouth.
- Dental Hygienist: A licensed dental professional who specializes in preventive oral health, typically focusing on techniques in oral hygiene.
- Orthodontic Assistant: A dental assistant who has received additional training and education in orthodontics, a branch of dentistry that deals with the diagnosis, prevention, and correction of malpositioned teeth and jaws.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dental assistant
- Wikipedia's article - Dental assistant
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