The importance of formal education for Ontario dental assistants

Dental assistants are vital members of the oral health team who work collaboratively with other dental healthcare professionals.

Dental assistants work as clinical chairside assistants, perform intra-oral duties, expose radiographs and carry out infection control procedures. As well, dental assistants provide clients with nutritional counseling and oral hygiene instruction to promote the prevention of oral disease. Dental assistants are committed to helping people, have solid communication skills, are effective problem-solvers and are motivated to learn.

Because dental assisting is not a regulated health profession in Ontario, many dental assistants are trained on-the-job. However, the ODAA maintains that a formal education is critical for all dental assistants for the good of their profession and their patients. That’s why the ODAA is currently working with the Ontario government for the regulation of dental assistants.

Dental assisting is taught at many community colleges and private career colleges in Ontario. A formal education in a recognized facility will provide dental assistants with a body of knowledge in:

• Behavioral Sciences – communicating and interacting with the general public and patients, critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Biomedical Sciences – knowledge in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology, microbiology and infection control, pathology, nutrition, pharmacology and medical emergencies.
• Oral Health Sciences – knowledge in tooth morphology, head, neck and oral anatomy, oral pathology, radiography, preventive dentistry, the dental specialties and dental materials.
• Dental Assisting Theory and Practice – principles applied to dental assisting patient care and procedures.

Formally trained dental assistants:

• know how to perform their duties to protect the health and safety of their patients
• are trained to work in a variety of dental environments such as:
  • private dental offices
  • community dental clinics
  • hospital dental clinics
  • public health units
  • specialty practices such as orthodontics, paedodontics, periodontics, oral maxilla facial surgery
  • insurance companies
  • dental sales
• have better opportunities for work advancement
• can command a higher salary
• find is easier to continue their career in dental assisting in other provinces
• enjoy deeper career satisfaction