If you want to become a dental assistant, building your stamina and dexterity is essential. However, if you need to build these skills, Meridian College is here to help. Our Dental Assistant program teaches the skills you need to succeed as a dental assistant, like stamina and dexterity. So, why do dental assistants need stamina and dexterity?
Why Do Dental Assistants Need Stamina & Dexterity?
Dental assistants play an important role at dental offices, and their work requires a combination of physical stamina and manual dexterity to meet the demands of the job. Here’s a few reasons why stamina and dexterity are important:
Stamina & Dental Assistants
There are many reasons why building up stamina can make you a successful dental assistant. Here are some of the reasons why stamina is so important:
Extended Work Hours: Dental assistants are often on their feet for long periods of time, moving between treatment rooms, retrieving supplies, assisting the dentist, and interacting with patients. This constant motion requires physical energy. Procedures can last hours, especially in root canals, dental implants, or oral surgeries. Maintaining focus and energy over long periods is essential to support the dentist and keep the patient comfortable.
Repetitive Movements: Many tasks involve repetitive motions, such as positioning instruments, cleaning equipment, or preparing treatment rooms. Over time, these actions can lead to fatigue, so maintaining stamina is critical to prevent strain or injury.
Stressful and Fast-Paced Environments: Dental offices can be high-pressure environments where dental assistants must multitask. They need the physical and mental stamina to manage emergencies without compromising the quality of care.
Patient Interaction: Dental assistants often spend a lot of time reassuring patients. These emotional and physical demands require a strong ability to remain calm and composed throughout the day.
Dexterity & Dental Assistants
As a dental assistant, you need precision in small spaces. This is where dexterity comes in. Here are some of the reasons why a successful dental assistant needs strong dexterity:
Handling Delicate Instruments: Dentists work with small, sharp, and often delicate instruments. A dental assistant must handle these tools precisely to make sure they are correctly passed to the dentist and to avoid any accidents.
Working in Constrained Spaces: A patient’s mouth can be a small and sensitive area, making it essential for the dental assistant to maneuver tools carefully. Even minor errors can cause discomfort or harm to the patient.
Efficient Instrument Management: Dental assistants assist in real-time by providing the dentist with the correct instruments or adjusting suction. This requires quick and precise movements to anticipate the dentist’s needs without disrupting the procedure.
Adapting to Patient Needs: Every patient is slightly different, and dental assistants must adapt their approach accordingly. For example, some patients may have smaller mouths or limited jaw mobility, requiring more dexterity.
Detailed Administrative Work: Beyond clinical duties, dental assistants often handle administrative tasks like preparing patient charts or managing x-rays, which also demand fine motor skills for accurate and efficient record-keeping.
How Can Dental Assistants Build Stamina & Dexterity?
Building stamina and dexterity is essential for dental assistants to succeed. Here’s how they can develop and strengthen these critical attributes:
Building Stamina
There are many ways you can build your stamina, here are a few:
Maintain Physical Fitness: Engage in cardio activities like walking, running, swimming, or cycling to improve endurance. Strength training can enhance physical resilience for repetitive tasks and lifting equipment. Use stretching exercises or yoga to improve flexibility and posture and reduce fatigue during long hours on your feet
Hydration: Stay hydrated to avoid getting tired, especially during busy shifts with limited breaks
Practice Good Posture: Proper posture reduces strain on muscles and joints, preventing fatigue. Focus on ergonomics when assisting or sitting at a workstation.
Gradual Endurance Building: If you are new to the field or returning after a break, start with shorter, focused work periods and gradually increase your tolerance for more extended hours by pacing yourself.
Take Breaks When Possible: Take short breaks to stretch, walk, or rest your eyes. Even quick breaks can help maintain stamina throughout the day.
Develop Stress Management Techniques: Stress can deplete energy levels. To stay mentally and physically refreshed during and after work, practice deep breathing, mindfulness, or relaxation techniques.
Improving Dexterity
Use the following hand strength and coordination exercises to help improve your dexterity:
Stress Balls: Squeezing stress balls or hand grippers can improve grip strength.
Finger Exercises: To enhance fine motor skills, practice activities like finger tapping, piano playing, or rolling small objects between fingers.
Theraputty or Clay Manipulation: Use theraputty or modeling clay to strengthen hands and fingers through repetitive kneading and shaping.
The following can also help you improve your dexterity:
Precision Practice: Use activities that require detailed hand-eye coordination, such as sewing, knitting, or drawing. These hobbies can mimic the fine motor skills needed in handling dental instruments. Try practicing instrument handling outside patient care, such as using tweezers to pick up small items or maneuvering tools in a confined space like a box.
Simulated Training: When completing the Dental Assistant program at Meridian College, you will participate in simulation exercises or practice with dental models. These hands-on opportunities help develop muscle memory and confidence in tool manipulation.
Ergonomic Techniques: You will learn proper hand and wrist positioning when holding instruments to prevent strain and ensure precision. Use techniques like light gripping and controlled movements to improve control.
Continuous Learning: Attend workshops or continuing education courses that focus on ergonomics. These can help improve your stamina and dexterity.
Workplace Adaptations: Ensure that workstations and tools are ergonomically designed to reduce unnecessary strain. Adjustable chairs, proper lighting, and well-designed instruments can make tasks less physically taxing.
Want to Learn More?
The Dental Assistant training program at Meridian College provides extensive hands-on training, including a school externship at a dental office where you will assist the dentist in treating actual patients. This can help you build and improve your skills like stamina and dexterity.
Meridian College also has dedicated school instructors who offer dental assisting training that can help you get an entry-level position at a dentist’s office or dental clinic. You get to work in real-world situations and use your training from classroom lectures to further your skills during lab work.
Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a dental assistant.