A highly qualified and skilled dental assistant is one of the quintessential elements of every dental healthcare team. Dental assisting demands responsibility, integrity, commitment, and dedication to continuous learning. As a dental assistant, you should be well-versed with various dentistry techniques and perform general office duties, comprising several laboratory duties and patient care. But, beyond the education and training, there are some skills to ace your career. What are they? Read below to find out.

Good organizational skills
In a dentist’s office, the environment is ever-changing and fast-paced. Thus, as a dental assistant, you must be ready and proactive. You will have an active role in ensuring that the dentist is always prepared. Hence, your organizational skills will come in handy here. From patient schedules to paperwork and preparing the examination room, there are several ways in which your organizational skills will prove instrumental in your success. With exemplary organization, you can always stay ahead and do your part to ensure the office runs smoothly and in a scheduled manner.

Ability to work as a team player
A dental assistant should be capable of working well with every member of the dental team, including the dentists, hygienists, and the front desk staff. As a proficient dental assistant, you should be able to anticipate what’s required every step of the way. So, be it supporting colleagues or patients, dental assistants must be good team players.

Compassion and empathy
These are two pivotal qualities you must exhibit as a dental assistant. Typically, most people find a trip to the dentist scary. Some even get uncomfortable during, before, or after the process. As a dental assistant, you will come across downright scared patients. So, if you showcase a kind and understanding approach towards them, they will highly appreciate your gesture. If you fail to empathize, you will lack these vital qualities.

Effective communication skills
As a dental assistant, you must be capable of clear and concise communication with the practitioners, patients, and other professionals, such as the employees from the insurance companies. Hence, if you aspire to be a dental assistant, you must know how to communicate in person, via email, phone, or through other communication modes. Ideally, if you know how to decomplexify tricky topics, such as root canals or insurance claims, it will be easier for you to connect with the patients in the office. Moreover, good communication skills are also vital when you assist the dentist during a procedure.

An eye for detail
Like any other job involving a person’s well-being, even a dental assistant should be detail-oriented. A minor slip-up in the field can result in liabilities and complications. Even routine procedures, such as scheduling appointments or cleaning the instruments for the dentist, will involve precision and care. Your effort is imperative for smooth functioning in the dentist’s office. It becomes essential if you handle several patients and the dentists you assist do not have any other help available. Thus, reliability holds a significant value for this role.

Patience
As a dental assistant, you must possess the ability to accept suffering, crisis, or delay without getting upset or angry. You might encounter multiple emergencies in your routine. It is essential to stay calm and overcome these contingencies without getting hyper during those times.

Professionalism
Your image has a significant role in patient satisfaction rates. So, the way you portray yourself directly reflects on the dental office. Thus, it is vital to act as a thorough professional. It requires dressing for the job, having a positive outlook, reaching out on time, and taking your role seriously.