Interested in becoming a dental assistant? During a vocational school dental assistant program, you will learn the different skills needed to be a success. These skills are key to keeping patients comfortable, connected and educated.

What are the skills of a successful dental assistant? The skills include compassion, empathy, administrative skills, computer skills, being detail-oriented, having dexterity, interpersonal skills, listening skills, organizational skills, following strict protocol and continuous learning. All of these skills make a successful dental assistant.

Skill #1: Compassion & Empathy

Many patients come to the dentist with anxiety or a fear of pain. Dental assistants are responsible for keeping patients calm, comfortable and relaxed. With compassion, the dental assistant shows concern for the patient’s well-being and that keeps them calm. Further, with empathy, the patient will know that the dental assistant cares and that they are the number one priority.

Skill #2: Administrative Skills

Dental assistants are responsible for a large number of administrative tasks including billing and coding, form filling, insurance claim processing, payment processing and secretarial tasks. Throughout the day a dental assistant may perform one or all of these administrative tasks so they must be able to work smart to get everything done while dealing with patients that come for appointments in the dentist’s office. A dental assistant must also do all of this confidentially as personal patient information needs to be secure.

Skill #3: Computer Skills

A dental assistant must be comfortable working on a variety of computer programs or be able to adapt to new software interfaces. Many of the different tasks a dental assistant performs are based in unique environments, from billing and coding to insurance claims. The dental assistant may also type letters on Microsoft Word or fill out spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel. Having a basic knowledge of word processing and data collection software is a must for a dental assistant.

Skill #4: Detail Oriented

Dental assistants must follow specific rules and protocols when assisting dentists. Adhering to procedure will help dental assistants from making mistakes during examinations and minor dental surgeries. The dental assistant also needs to be detail oriented with respect to billing as it can be possible to bill a patient incorrectly or code an insurance claim incorrectly. This can cause a lot of back and forth with the insurance company and patient to resolve these issues. Being detail oriented can help dental assistants stick to a procedure and not make any mistakes.

Skill #5: Dexterity 

Dental assistants must be good at working with their hands. They generally work in small spaces including the patient’s mouth. The dental assistant must also use dental tools and instruments during procedures and examinations so good dexterity is important. Writing and typing dexterity is also a good skill to have for a dental assistant. A dental assistant will write and type a fair amount when recording patient exams and performing billing processes. A common injury many dental assistants may get, if not using proper ergonomics, is carpal tunnel syndrome. This can affect the dexterity of a dental assistant so proper ergonomics is an important part of a dental assistants work space.

Skill #6: Interpersonal skills

Dental assistants work with dentists and patients on a regular basis and interpersonal skills come in handy. A dental assistant must be able to get along with others and get the job done. Sensitivity to patients and dentists can be important since during a procedure the patient might be in pain or the dentist may be tired from extreme focus. Good communication can be an asset for a successful dental assistant.

Skill #7: Active Listening

Dental assistants should be able to listen to patients and colleagues for exact information. Procedures may be very important or timely making listening skills important. Dental assistants need to follow directions from a dentist so they can help treat patients during examinations without making mistakes.

Skill #8: Organizational Skills

Dental assistants must have good organization skills. Having all tools neat and clean for the next patient is important. The dental assistant must keep the dental station and exam room organized so everyone can find what they are looking for. The dental assistant must keep deadlines when filing billing information and may need to schedule patient’s appointments so organizational skills will help the dental assistant stay organized and focused on the tasks at hand.

Skill #9: Following Strict Protocol

A large part of a dental assistant’s job is to follow protocol. Each dentist will have their own protocol, but every dental office will need to perform infection control. Keeping the dental office sanitized, sterilized and clean is an important part of the dental assistant’s job. Further, dental assistants are bound by HIPAA’s privacy of patient information. A dental assistant must keep all information confidential and follow strict safety protocols.

Skill #10: Continuous Learning

Dental assistants will need to evolve along with new technology and dental techniques. Dental assistants are continually called upon to learn new skills, and acquire knowledge about procedures. A dental assistant that evolves and continues to learn will be highly successful.

Final Thoughts

Are you a good communicator with active listening skills? Tech-savvy and highly organized? With the right set of skills, you can become a successful dental assistant. At your local vocational school, a career in dental assisting might be right around the corner.

Dental careers are on the rise and qualified Dental Assistants are in high demand. How do you take advantage of the growth in dental assisting? Start by attending a school that offers one of the best Dental Assistant training programs in Sarasota, FL. With the right training courses from Meridian College, you could join this popular career field. Meridian College offers Dental Assisting Training in Florida that prepares you for a position in a dentist’s office. Meridian College’s hands–on Dental Assistant program gives you the skills you need to start an exciting career as a dental assistant.