Dental Assisting is a critical profession within the field of dentistry, focused on providing support to dentists and dental hygienists during dental procedures and ensuring the efficient operation of a dental practice. Dental assistants play a vital role in maintaining patient comfort and improving the overall dental experience. They help to promote oral health and well-being while contributing to the delivery of high-quality dental care.
The importance of a dental assistant lies in their ability to:
- Enhance patient care: Dental assistants are responsible for making patients feel comfortable and relaxed before, during, and after dental procedures. They help to explain treatment options, answer questions, and provide reassurance to patients.
- Ensure efficient operation of the dental practice: Dental assistants manage various administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and maintaining inventory. By handling these responsibilities, they allow dentists and dental hygienists to focus on providing direct patient care.
- Maintain a clean and safe environment: Dental assistants are trained in infection control procedures and are responsible for sterilizing instruments, preparing treatment rooms, and ensuring that all equipment is in proper working order. This helps to minimize the risk of infections and maintain a safe environment for patients and staff.
- Assist during dental procedures: Dental assistants play a crucial role in supporting dentists and dental hygienists during dental procedures by handing them instruments, keeping patients’ mouths dry, and taking dental impressions or x-rays when necessary.
Becoming a Dental Assistant in Canada
If you are planning on becoming a dental assistant in Canada, you will need to successfully pass the NDAEB exam. This exam is governed by the National Dental Assisting Examining Board that has wide representatives from the Canadian Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities (CDARA), the Canadian Dental Assistants’ Association (CDAA), the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), dental assisting educators from accredited and non-accredited educational institutes, and the public.
Candidates applying to write the NDAEB examination or registering for the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE), please visit the NDAEB website here.
If you have completed the registration and picked your exam date, we are here to help you with your studies.
Get started today with ExamPrepHero’s practice exams:
