Managing Stress In The New Dental Normal
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but when we control it, instead of the other way around, we feel better and have better life outcomes. Having seen patients this week and understanding what working in today’s dentist offices requires, I felt compelled to sit down and write to my dental community friends and colleagues who may not be feeling so positive. Did you know that 80% of all the thoughts we have are negative. Yes, you read …
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Adapting to today’s many changes in dental assisting
It’s been more than two months since the American Dental Association (ADA) put forth its recommendations for dentists nationwide to postpone elective procedures as a way to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus. During this time those of us in the dental assisting profession have been faced with significant challenges. Our profession includes clinical and business assistants, dental assisting educators and students, and dental assistants who serve administratively. One benefit that has been apparent throughout this …
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Dentists are sweating under three layers of face protection to get patients back
Dr. Norberto Camacho says he’s drenched in sweat and yearning for oxygen after every shift at his dental practice in Brickell, where the AC is stuck above 72 degrees and staff are adapting to multiple new layers of personal protective equipment. With an 80-year-old grandmother waiting at home and Florida hitting more than 244,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 4,100 deaths as of Friday, Camacho, 35, is determined to minimize the risk of infection for …
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Are you more than just thirsty? The dangerous impacts of dehydration
The physical environment in the dental office is more taxing than ever. A growing number of health-care professionals are experiencing profound and wide-ranging health complications since returning to the work setting. As of July 23, 2020, 65% of over 3,200 health-care providers back in active practice report dehydration. Out of 65 symptoms, dehydration tops the list as the most reported symptom.1 An increasing number of dental health-care workers are experiencing blackouts while delivering patient care, …
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MYTH BUSTERS for Dental Assistants: Dental Assistants are not oral health-care professionals and our opinions do not matter…
Wrong! Tija Hunter, CDA, EFDA, believes dental assistants should all receive mandatory training for infection control. She feels this would help them gain some of the respect that traditionally lacks toward the profession. What do you mean we aren’t professionals and our opinions do not matter? This is not just wrong, but whoa, this could not be further from the truth! Have you ever been made to feel like the black sheep of your dental office? In many …
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UPDATE: Dental Assistants Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Quick Facts: Dental Assistants 2019 Median Pay $40,080 per year$19.27 per hour Typical Entry-Level Education Postsecondary nondegree award Work Experience in a Related Occupation None On-the-job Training None Number of Jobs, 2018 346,000 Job Outlook, 2018-28 11% (Much faster than average) Employment Change, 2018-28 38,700 What Dental Assistants Do Dental assistants provide patient care, take x rays, keep records, and schedule appointments. Work Environment Almost all dental assistants work in dentists’ offices. Most work full …
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4 Reasons to be Grateful for Dental Assistants
November brings with it the opportunity to reflect on the many reasons to appreciate dental assistants, as well as all of the ways they contribute to the dental office. In fact, dental assistants’ colleagues agree that assistants positively impact the practice, according to research commissioned by the DALE Foundation, the affiliate of the Dental Assisting National Board. The DALE Foundation’s “Value of Dental Assistants to the Dental Practice” research, which drew insights from nearly 3,000 dentists, dental …
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UPDATE: Dentistry Workers and Employers
COVID-19 Control and Prevention This section provides guidance for dentistry workers and employers. This guidance supplements the general interim guidance for workers and employers of workers at increased risk of occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. On March 16, 2020, the American Dental Association called for dentists to keep their offices closed to all but urgent and emergency procedures during the COVID-19 outbreak. Unless emergency dental procedures absolutely cannot be delayed, OSHA further recommends that emergency dental procedures be performed on patients with suspected or …
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Whitening strips could be doing serious damage to your teeth
Pearly whites can come with a price. Teeth whitening is expected to become a $7.4 billion industry by 2024, with Americans spending $1.4 billion alone on over-the-counter whiteners to bleach away the stains from cigarettes, red wine, coffee and natural aging, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. But preliminary research presented at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s annual meeting this week suggests that these whitening strips could be damaging teeth beneath the surface. …
Read MoreDental Assistants; The Gateway to Even Better Jobs
Are you contemplating a career choice, or even a career move as a seasoned professional? Working as a dental assistant is a wonderful way to enter the noble healthcare profession, and it offers you a wealth of opportunity as you travel your career path to success and fulfillment. Job prospects and pay are excellent throughout the United States and abroad, and certification is a quick and efficient process. Rewards of Working as A Dental …
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Certifications Available For People Considering Careers As Dental Assistants
The field of dentistry has changed immensely over the course of the last thirty years. Dentistry is a specified branch of medicine specializing in the preventative care and treatment of conditions, disorders and diseases of the oral cavity. With advancements made across all medical fields in recent years, this branch of medicine is no exception. An increasing number of conditions and unique needs of dental patients is cropping up, making it necessary to specialize …
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