Dental Assisting School of Utah

     Dental Assistants acquire a vast amount of knowledge in the dental field. In our Dental Assisting School in Utah County, you will learn the art of communication, professionalism, Dental terminology, Sterilization, and much more!
     For those of our students who have interned at Pediatric Dental Offices, the eruption sequence of teeth is interesting and educational. For example, baby teeth begin to form while the baby is in the mothers womb. This is one of the many reasons it is very important to control the mothers health and medication intake. Certain medicines consumed by pregnant mothers can have a damaging effect on their child's teeth.
     Baby teeth begin to erupt through the gingiva at 6-8 months old on average. The first set of permanent molars begin to erupt at age 6, it actually helped coin the term "6 year molars."  For this same reason, the second set of molars are also called the "12 year molars," as they usually erupt around age 12. Wisdom teeth certainly don't have an affect on your wisdom, but they erupt when you are considered a young adult and are acquiring important "wisdom" in life.

     Pediatric Dentistry is one of the most upbeat, fast tempo specialties that most assistants learn to love. Children usually keep the mood of the office fun and happy, which is always enjoyable for everyone. We at Practical Dental Assisting of Utah love to train our assistants and help them find the jobs of their dreams. Call us or check out our website to learn more about our school!

Dental Assisting School in Utah County

Living in Utah County is wonderful! We love the abundance of nice people and children in the area. Due to the fairly common practice of having a large family, Pediatric Dentistry is one of the best career choices to choose from.  One of our instructors has over 5 years of experience in pediatric dental offices and had nothing but wonderful experiences!

As a Dental Assistant in a pediatric dental office one may expect to do the following:

• Take X-rays on children of all ages. This can be tricky because the majority of young children are frightened of the dentist and often cry. Parents can often hold the child in their lap and coax them through the x-ray process. As an assistant you must learn soothing terminology and use words that children can understand such as calling the x-ray a photo and the x-ray tube the camera.
• Complete tooth cleanings and flossing on many children throughout each work day. This task can be easily done with the newer offices installing televisions above the dental chairs as a distraction or offering kids prizes if they let us "tickle their teeth with our toothbrush." Many kids are frightened of the prophy angle and most are calmed down by touching the rubber end and tickling their finger with it as it spins. Once the fear is gone, they often open their mouths wide and look forward to prizes at the end of their visits.
• Assist the dentist in daily dental procedures such as fillings, extractions, numbing injections, or tooth sealants. This will also require calming terminology such as "sleepy water" for the injections or "tooth bugs" when talking about cavities. Laughing gas can become a very necessary item to use on many children who need dental work done. The dentist will require you to be fast when handing him instruments or mixing cements or amalgam fillings.
• Chart each procedure, condition, treatment, or clinical note in each child's file for accurate processing and use. Many offices use computer dental charting software instead of the written paperwork that has been so common. An Assistant must have knowledge of the dental system including how to navigate each page, chart correctly in the files, write clinical notes, schedule appointments, and discuss treatment listed to a parent or guardian.

At Practical Dental Assisting of Utah, our school teaches each student the necessary skills and tools needed in each and every profession. Internships at Pediatric and other specialty offices are highly encouraged. We offer 10 week courses with classes on Fridays and Saturdays to accommodate busy Moms or Full-time workers. Check out our website or call us today for a free tour!

Why Choose Dental Assisting?

Career Options
Dental Assisting is a fun and exciting job with many career options to choose from. There are many different dental specialties to work within and various tasks to be done! Dental assisting can range from cleaning patients teeth, assisting the dentist, taking x-rays, working at the front desk, sterilizing, working with dental insurance, and much more! Dental specialties offer a variety of job options such as Pediatric Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Orthodontics, or Endodontics. The choices are amazing! Assistants can choose whether they would like to work on kids, teenagers, or adults.

Flexible Work Schedules
Many dental offices are open 3 to 5 days per week. We have found that busy Moms are able to work part-time or full-time and many offices have hours that allow for parents to be home when their kids are. For those interested in a great job with flexible hours, Dental Assisting is for you!

Competitive Pay
Dental Assistants are a MUST in dental offices. There is always a need for an assistant and an extra pair of hands. Dentistry is also a necessary part of society for the interest of our over-all health. Job security is a large part of what makes dentistry such an appealing career choice; there will always be a need for Dental Assistants! Dentists usually enjoy training assistants to their own unique techniques and chosen office environment. The pay is above average in the workforce and for those willing to work, pay raises and bonuses are a definite plus!

Good Workplace Environment
The dental office is a professional environment that exists to offer dental services to patients. Assistants are expected to be happy, comforting people who help the patients relax and prepare for their dental work. Offices are typically fast-paced and goal-oriented which is great for those who despise boredom! Because dental work can be unpleasant for many patients, the staff are expected to be friendly, gentle, and professional. Dental offices are also very clean and orderly, requiring organized staff and proper training.

We offer many training courses in Dental Assisting, including fall classes in dental specialties and office management. For more information, visit our website or call our Dental Assisting Utah County office today to schedule a tour!