Dental Assistant

Dental assistants prepare patients for oral examination and assist other dental workers, such
as dentists, dental therapists and dental hygienists, in providing treatment to the teeth, mouth
and gums. Dental assistants also carry out chair-side and receptionist duties. Dental Assistants are responsible for ensuring infection control standards are maintained. 

As a Dental Assistant, you may perform the following tasks:

• Receive patients, update personal details eg address, phone numbers and prepare themfor necessary dental procedures
• Prepare surgery for dental treatment with correct instruments/materials ready for use as directed by the operator
• Mix materials for fillings
• Record findings from the oral examination
• During oral examination or treatment, provide instruments and dispense materials as directed by the operator
• Provide pre- and post-operative instructions for patients undergoing general or local anaesthesia
• Clear the patient's mouth of saliva or dental materials used in the treatment by operating handheld suction or air and water-spraying equipment
• Send/receive dental laboratory work for the Dentist
• Clean and sterilise the instruments used after treatment, clean and tidy the surgery and implement standard decontamination procedures for infection control
• Process, mount and file dental X-rays
• Maintain and re-stock dental supplies
• Perform routine care and maintenance of dental equipment and instruments
• Make appointments for patients, keep records of patients' treatments and send out reminders for re-examinations
• Prepare accounts and collect payments
• Answer the telephone and carry out other office duties

Personal Attributes

• Able to concentrate and follow instructions
• Good communicator and have good interpersonal skills
• Organised and have time good management skills
• Friendly, caring, polite and efficient
• Basic computer skills

Desirable skills:

• Interested in health care work
• Knowledgeable of basic dentistry, infection control practices and hygiene
• Familiar with dental practices to be able to anticipate the needs of the dentist
• Familiar with dental materials and vocabulary
• Able to understand dental surgery procedures, including the use of sedatives and anesthetics

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Improve your chances by

• Completing subjects such as health, science and English
• Gaining experience in hospital work, reception work, or any work involving contact with people.

Long term possibilities

Dental Hygienist

Dental Projects Officer

Dental Technician

Dental Therapist

Health Promotions Officer

Nurse (Div 1 or Div 2)

Population Health Worker

Practice Manager

Pathways to employment

Prospects for employment in the Dentistry field are excellent. You can start by taking on an Australian School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship, and finish the certificate abovewhile you finish High School. Check out your local newspaper or jump on-line and searchthe internet for Dental Assistant jobs.

For more information,

Please visit: 

careersthatmatter.com.au

 96 056 479 504

Allied Health Assistants

The Allied Health Assistant plays an important role in the care of patients. Allied Health assistants assist the professional care provider by taking on a number of necessary tasks. These tasks may include visiting patients in their homes, preparing appropriate reports, and assisting patients and their carers with tasks they are unable to do.
As an Allied Health Assistant it is not your role to diagnose illness or prescribe medications. The Allied Assistant works closely with professional health care providers such as Doctors, Speech patholgists, Occupational therapists, Nurses and Diversion therapists.

Allied Health assistants may be trained as an
Occupational Therapy Assistant

The Occupational Therapy Assistant works with sick, aged or disabled people in their homes. This may be for things such as bathing and showering or other personal and hygiene care.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant constructs, adjusts and fits appropriate aids and equipment. They also assist with a range of daily living skills and rehabilitation activities as well as prepare and present reports of additional services and actions required.

Other Allied Health Assistant Roles:

Therapy assistant • Podiatry assistant
• Physiotherapy assistant • Speech pathology assistant
• Occupational therapy assistant • Allied health assistant
• Nutrition assistant • Dietetic assistant

Allied Health assistant Qualifications

Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance

Personal Requirements:

To be successful in the allied Health Assistant role you need to be:
• mature
• able to relate well to a diverse range of people including the sick, frail and aged, people with disabilities.
• patient

Find a provider of Allied Health Training