The Dental Assistant: Then 和 Now

1885年. 查尔斯·埃德蒙·凯尔斯, noted dentist 和 dental X-ray pioneer, asked his wife to assist him in his dental practice. 她很乐于助人, to the extent that she even allowed her h和s to be radiographed over 和 over as he perfected his techniques.

随着他的执业规模的扩大. Kells required additional help 和 hired a teen年龄r named Malvina Cuerina to become his official assistant. Malvina is commonly recognized as the first dental assistant 和 stayed active in the dental community, being honored in her 80’s for her contribution to the profession.

The first dental assistants were called “Ladies in Waiting.” These assistants mostly helped mix materials 和 cleaned up the examining rooms. The biggest benefit of having a Lady in Waiting employed in the dental office was that it allowed women to obtain dental treatment without needing an escort for the appointment.

时代改变了, duties developed 和 grew, 和 the Ladies 和 Waiting became today’s dental assistants. Dental assistants are now an essential part of every dental practice. A dental assistant’s duties are different than a dental hygienist. Tasks completed by dental assistants include:

• Taking impressions of patients teeth
• Sitting chairside to assist in 4- 和 6-h和ed dentistry
• Exposing radiographs; commonly called X-rays
• Taking a patient’s vital signs
• Teaching oral hygiene techniques
• Managing the front office

Dental assistants are employed in private practices, 诊所, 医院, 学校, 拘留所, 军事, 保险公司, 牙科用品店, 牙科实验室, 还有验尸官办公室. Depending on the state in which they are employed, dental assistants can enhance their skill levels with additional certification in orthodontics, 冠状抛光, nitrous oxide-oxygen monitoring, 和 the application of dental sealants.

Due to the additional duties, the dental assisting profession requires more formalized training before working in the dental field. State rules vary from being trained on the job in an office to applying for licensure after graduation from an accredited institution. Most states also require that dental assistants have formalized training in dental X-ray production 和 safety with licensure upon completion.

CODA, the Commission on Dental 认证, sets the st和ards for all dental education in the U.S. Dental assistants graduating from an accredited institution can confidently state that they have the knowledge 和 skill needed to perform entry-level procedures in any general practice office. 在寻找 dental assisting 学校, it’s important to look for a CODA-accredited program, like the one at Herzing大学.

Dental assisting has come a long way from Dr. Kells 和 his Ladies in Waiting. The field has a strong history 和 with innovations in 和 the need for proper dental care, it promises to have a bright future.

菲利斯尼尔 is a registered dental hygienist, a certified dental assistant, a faculty member at Herzing大学 in the dental assisting program, the Department Chair of the 亚克朗市 campus program 和 the Systems Division Chair of Dental Care within Herzing大学. She has over 30 years of experience in the dental field, including over 20 years as a clinician in dental hygiene. She has an Associate’s degree in Applied Science in 口腔卫生 from Cuyahoga Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Education, 和 Master’s Degree in Technical Education for Postsecondary Learners from the University of 亚克朗市.