Dental assistants are members of the dental team.[1] They support a dental operator (such as a dentist or other treating dental auxiliary) in providing more efficient dental treatment. Dental assistants are distinguished from other groups of dental auxiliaries (such as dental therapists, dental hygienists and dental technicians) by differing training, roles and patient scopes.[2][1]
C. Edmund Kells, a pioneering dentist operating from New Orleans, enlisted the first dental assistant.[3][4] The dental field was initially dominated by males, but after this first addition of a female, it was then acceptable for women to seek dental treatment without their husbands. This led to dental assistants of that era also being known as "Ladies in Attendance".[5] Thanks to the addition of women to dentistry, the profession flourished with more and more women seeking treatment and more patients overall receiving care.[4]
It was not until almost four decades later that in 1923 the first dental assistant association was founded by Juliette Southard, named the American Dental Assistant Association and it is still in practise now.[6] It began with just five members, now reaching more than 10,000.[6]
The dental assistant's role is often thought to be to support the dental operator by typically passing instruments during clinical procedures. However, in fact, their role extends much further to include: providing patients help with their oral hygiene skills, preparing the patient for treatment, sterilising instruments, assisting during general anaesthetic dental procedures, positioning suction devices, exposing dental radiographs, taking dental impressions, recording patient notes and administration roles such as scheduling appointments.[2]
It was customary for oral health care workers and dental assistants in the 1980s to practice oral health care without wearing gloves, masks or eye protection.[7] This was at a crucial time due to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) spreading rapidly at a global rate.[7] At the time, the transmission risks associated with bloodborne pathogens like HIV and hepatitis B were not fully understood, and personal protective equipment (PPE) was not yet standard in most clinical settings. However, the increased awareness and understanding of these infectious diseases by the late 1980s and early 1990s led to significant changes in infection control protocols across health care fields, including dentistry.[8] However, in 2018 gloves, masks and eye protection have become part of the standard infection control guidelines which has been implemented in all oral health care settings as a means of preventing the spread of infectious disease.[9] Infection control in oral health care not only protects the patient but it also protects the oral health care workers.[7] This includes: dentists, dental specialists, oral health therapists, dental hygienists and dental assistants.[7]
Dental assistants play a crucial role in maintaining high levels of infection control in the oral health care setting.[7] The dental assistant is the major link between oral health care workers and the patient.[citation needed] To perform infection control responsibilities well, the dental assistant must have the appropriate education, training and work experience. Examples of infection control protocols that the dental assistant needs to follow in an oral health setting include:
Hand hygiene aims to reduce the number of microorganisms on hands. Antimicrobial agents such as alcohol-based hand rub or antimicrobial soap and water are effective agents to remove most antimicrobial bacteria on hands in dental settings.[9]
Gloves, gown, hair net and eye protection are essential barrier protection items that enable the dental assistant to reduce the transmission of infectious diseases to themselves, other dental co-workers and patients.[9] Gloves and masks need to be disposed after each patient, eyewear can be disposable or reusable and gowns need to be replaced if visibly soiled.[9] Lastly, footwear must include leather closed toe shoes; this minimises the risk of sharps injury.[9]
It is crucial to wear sterile gloves when the dental assistant is assisting in surgery with the oral health care clinician.[9] Hand hygiene using antimicrobial soap and water is imperial to maintaining adequate infection control in this setting, as this minimises the risk of infection.[9]
It is crucial that sharp instruments which include: needles, scalers, scalpels, burs, orthodontics bands and endodontic files need to be handled with care and appropriate techniques to minimise any potential sharps injury.[9] Sharps also need to be disposed accordingly into the sharps containers, separate from other disposable bins.[9] The dental assistant needs to be aware of what is required to go into the sharps containers and what is not.[9] This minimises the chance of spreading infectious diseases.[9]
It is imperative that when performing change over, that the dental assistant is able to distinguish the difference between medical related waste compared to contaminated waste.[9] Contaminated waste needs to be placed in a leak proof thick yellow bag with a biohazard symbol label.[9]
The dental assistant should put on utility gloves when cleaning working surfaces during the changeover between patients. Each person in the dental office needs to have his or her own pair/s of utility gloves.[10][11] They must also be able to distinguish between clean and dirty zones as this minimises the spread of infectious diseases between co-workers and patients.[9] Additionally, plastic barriers are placed on: instruments such as; hand pieces connected to the chair, overhead lights, amalgamators, x-ray machines, mixing materials and other miscellaneous dental instruments, materials or appliances.[12] One of the roles that the dental assistant participates in is changing these plastic barriers after each patient has left that surgery.[12] This ensures that the surgery is set up ready for the next patient.[12]
Dental assistants play a large role in ensuring that the reusable dental instruments used daily in dental practices are sterilized adequately after each use.[13] Sterilisation is an essential part of the infection control protocol. This can be defined as free of all life forms where the elimination of considerable number of the most heat resistant spores (bacterial and mycotic) is the basic criteria sterilisation. Sterilisation process consists of[14]
Disinfectant is also one of the major roles of dental assistant where chemicals applied to inanimate surfaces such as lab tops, counter tops, headrests, light handles, etc. This is to make sure that germicide and/or microbiostatic are achieved.[15] Antiseptic chemical agents similar to disinfectants but they may be applied safely to living tissue, is another task for dental assistant where Alcohol is the most commonly used.[15]
Dental assistants make a difference in the community by participating in health promotion activities and programs. These programs may take place at schools, preschools, immunisation events or at maternal health clinics. Dental operators may also be supported by dental assistants during pre-school or school screenings.[16]
Dental assistants can extend their scope to provide oral health promotion to patients in Australia by completing the Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Oral Health Promotion).[17] The dental assistant will have the ability to implement an individualised oral health promotion program and oral hygiene program. After the appropriate training the dental assistant may;
Dental assistants help other dental and allied health professionals in health promotion. These dental assistants implement oral health programs by providing resources and presentation promoting oral health messages to several target groups and community settings.[18] These settings include:
Dental assistant can educate the community and schools by advising on:
Currently in Australia, dental assistants are not required to be registered under the Dental Board of Australia.[19] However, dental assistants who have attained their certificate IV in dental assisting – Dental Radiography must hold a current license with the relative state or territory radiation authority.[19] Dental assistants that decide to take on further study into their certificate IV in dental assisting - dental radiography, have an advantage of exposing patients to radiation also known as an x-ray, with regards to oral health care.[19] The dental assistant will take training to further their practical and theoretical skills relevant to the role of the dental radiographer.[19]
Upon successful completion of the training program dependent on the course structure, the dental assistant may:
Expose intra-oral radiographs that ensures an optimum radiographic image.[20]
Looking to the future of dentistry and oral health, the roles for dental assistants are ever-changing and expanding. With the increase in an ageing population, it will become more and more commonplace for dental assistants to be employed to support dental operators with providing oral health promotion and treatment within residential care facilities.[21]
The number of newly graduated dentists and dental auxiliaries is increasing and with that the need for dental assistants.[1] According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of America the rate of employed dental assistants will likely increase by 18% in the ten years between 2014 and 2024.[1] With an increase in dental assistants comes the possibility of extension in the dental assistant roles and scope. As seen in some states of the United States of America, dental assistants are able to perform some simple fillings with the supervision of a practising dentist.[1] By allowing dental assistants to extend their scope alongside the appropriate training, the workload of the other members of the dental team is lessened and increases efficiency of the dental clinic management. This may have the potential to reach other countries in the future as the need for dental and oral health treatments increase.[1]
Dental assistant roles can vary depending on different country qualifications and regulations. Below are examples of dental assisting roles which the dental assistant is able to perform, respective to that country.
According to the Australian Government, Department of Health, in 2006 there were 15,381 registered dental assistants supporting dental operators. Of those, 171 were Indigenous.
In Australia Dental Assistants should have the following skills:[22][23]
Dental Assistants work as part of a wider dental team, primarily with Dentists, but also with Dental Specialists, Oral Health Therapists, Dental Therapists, Dental Technitions, Dental Hygienists and Dental Prosthetists.[25][26]
VICTORIA
Education Provider | Qualification | Course Type | Course Length (months) | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bendigo Tafe | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
Bendigo Tafe | Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12-18 | Full Time |
Bendigo Tafe | Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 18-24 | Part Time |
Box Hill Institute Tafe | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Full Time |
Chisholm Tafe | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 9 | Part Time
1day/week |
Chisholm Tafe | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 5 | Part Time
2day/week |
GOTAFE
Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE |
Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 643 hours | Flexible |
RMIT University | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
RMIT University | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
RMIT University | Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12 | Part Time
2-3day/month |
Partners in Training (Private) | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
Partners in Training (Private) | Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12 | Part Time |
Menzies Institute of
Technology (Private) |
Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 6 (for those with more than 12
months work experience |
FullTime |
Menzies Institute of
Technology (Private) |
Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 (for those with less than 12
months work experience |
Traineeship |
Menzies Institute of
Technology (Private) |
Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 6 | Full Time |
NEW SOUTH WALES
Education Provider | Qualification | Course Type | Course Length
(months) |
Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
North Coast TAFE Institute | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
North Coast TAFE Institute | Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12 | Part Time |
Hunter Institute TAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
Hunter Institute TAFE | Certificate IV Dental Assisting
(Radiography) |
Certificate IV | 12 | Part Time |
Hunter Institute TAFE | Certificate IV Dental Assisting
(Oral Health Promotion) |
Certificate IV | 12 | Part Time |
Illawarra Institute TAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12-24 | Part Time |
Illawarra Institute TAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Traineeship |
Sydney Institute TAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12-24 | Part Time |
Sydney Institute TAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Traineeship |
Western Sydney Institute TAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12-24 | Part Time |
Western Sydney Institute TAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Traineeship |
Open Training & Education Network
TAFE NSW |
Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Traineeship |
Open Training & Education Network
TAFE NSW |
Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12-24 | Part Time |
Open Training & Education Network
TAFE NSW |
Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12 | Traineeship |
Open Training & Education Network
TAFE NSW |
Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12-24 | Part Time |
Dental Assistants Professional Association | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
Dental Assistants Professional Association | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Traineeship |
TrEd College | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 6 | Full Time |
QUEENSLAND
Education Provider | Qualification | Course Type | Course Length (months) | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Queensland TAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
Queensland TAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Traineeship |
ADA Queensland | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
ADA Queensland | Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12 | Full Time |
Health Academy Australia
(Queensland) |
Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Education Provider | Qualification | Course Type | Course Length (months) | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Department of Health (NT) | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
Department of Health (NT) | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Traineeship |
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Education Provider | Qualification | Course Type | Course Length (months) | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
DNA Kingston Training | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
DNA Kingston Training | Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12 | Part Time |
North Metropolitan TAFE | Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12 | Full Time |
South Regional TAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 6 | Full Time |
South Regional TAFE | Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 6 | Full Time |
West Australian Institute
of Further Studies |
Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
West Australian Institute
of Further Studies |
Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12 | Part Time |
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Education Provider | Qualification | Course Type | Course Length (months) | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
TAFE SA | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 6 | Full Time |
TAFE SA | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Part Time |
TAFE SA | Certificate IV Dental Assisting | Certificate IV | 12 | Part Time |
TASMANIA
Education Provider | Qualification | Course Type | Course Length (months) | Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
TASTAFE | Certificate III Dental Assisting | Certificate III | 12 | Traineeship |
Australian Dental assistants perform limited and restricted duties and are not permitted to perform any of the following:[19][30]
Dental Assisting is not a registered profession in Australia and as such training courses are not mandatory, although those with nationally recognised qualifications will enjoy the benefits of higher wages and better employment opportunities.[19]
There is no formal training required of entry level dental assistants in order to commence or undertake work in private practice in Australia.[31] Most dental assistants gain practical experience at a place of employment although there are vocational qualifications which are nationally recognised and highly recommended for increasing a person's job prospects, remuneration, and professional development.[19]
The National Vocational Qualification HLT35015 Certificate III in Dental Assisting is the entry level of vocational training for dental assisting while HLT45015 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting are suitable for those who seek to further their skills and duties and elect units from particular streams such as dental radiography, oral health promotion, practice administration, general anaesthesia and conscious sedation.[19][31] These formal qualifications can be offered only by registered training organisations such as TAFE and professional associations while Certificate III in Dental Assisting may also be offered as a traineeship in most States of Australia and as a School-based Traineeship for years 11 and 12 in some States.[19][31]
Currently dental assistants are not required to be registered under the Dental Board of Australia or with any State and Territory Boards since dental assisting is not a registered profession. Dental Assistants who have attained a Certificate IV in Dental Assisting – Dental Radiography and are required to operate dental radiography apparatus as part of their job role, must hold a current license with the relevant state or territory Radiation Authority.[19]
Dental assistants are strongly encouraged to have current vaccinations for Hepatitis B, and Tetanus along with the normal childhood vaccination recommendations (Measles, mumps, varicella, polio) and influenza. Many state and territory public health care facilities and training providers will require students and workers to present evidence of Hepatitis B immunity and the results of a criminal history check prior to commencing clinical placement. Most private dental clinics will also require employees to have current vaccination records and may also require workers to undertake annual influenza vaccinations.[32][33]
According to Occupational Employment Statistics, in the USA in 2017 there are a total of 337,160 Dental Assistants:[34] they all should have the following personal qualities:[35][36][37]
Unlike Australia, in the USA dental assisting is a registered profession represented by the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA)[38][39] and members should possess both front desk and chairside skills.[40]
Routine duties include:[41][36][35]
Extended duties may include:[42][43]
In some U.S. states, dental assistants can work in the field without a college degree, while in other states, dental assistants must be licensed or registered.[35]
Dental assistants can receive formal education through academic programs at community colleges, vocational schools, career colleges, technical institutes, universities and dental schools with most programs needing only 8 to 11 months to complete.[35]
The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association accredits dental assisting school programs, of which there are over 200 in the United States.[44]
To become a Certified Dental Assistant, or CDA, dental assistants must take the DANB (Dental Assisting National Board) CDA examination after they have completed an accredited dental assisting program,[45] while those who have been trained on the job or have graduated from non-accredited programs are eligible to take the national certification examination after they have completed two years of full-time work experience as dental assistants.[46][47] Some dentists are willing to pay a dental assistant-in-training that has a good attitude and work ethic.[46][48]
In the USA the Dental Assisting National Board offers three nationally recognised certifications, namely:[35]
Expanded duties dental assistants or expanded functions dental assistants,[49] as they are known in some states, may work one on one with the patient performing restorations after the doctor has removed decay[42][43] Ideally, a dental assistant should have both administrative and clinical skills although it's still acceptable to have one or the other.
Duties may also include seating and preparing the patient, charting, mixing dental materials, providing patient education and post-operative instructions. They also keep track with inventory control and ordering supplies.
In the UK, Registered Dental Nurses are prohibited from carrying out any form of direct dental treatment on the patient, including teeth whitening procedures, under the GDC scope of practice.[50] Dental nurses found to be carrying out dental procedures are liable to be removed from the statutory GDC register.[51]
Those with additional training or skills developed during their careers can undertake expanded duties that may include:[50][53][54]
Entry level working as a trainee dental nurse does not require any qualification, but progression to qualified dental nurse requires completion of a formal course of study, either part or full-time, approved by the General Dental Council. A minimum 2 GCSEs (C grade or above) in English language and maths or a science subject are usually required for part-time courses while full-time courses may require evidence of A-level or AS-level study. A level 3 apprenticeship in dental nursing is an alternative pathway to gaining the required qualifications in dental nursing.[51]
In Ireland dental assistants have the following tasks:[55][56]
In the Republic of Ireland, it is often dental nurses (and teeth whitening technicians) who carry out teeth whitening procedures rather than dentists.[57]
This practice mainly occurs in clinics focusing solely on laser teeth whitening. In Ireland, registration as a dental nurse with The Irish Dental Council is voluntary; however, nurses who are registered and who carry out teeth whitening may face disciplinary action if caught.[55][57]
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