Do you dread that friendly postcard from the dentist reminding you to get your annual check-up? Have nightmares of mouth X-rays and dental rinses? If so, you are not alone. In fact, 30 to 40 million Americans are so afraid, they avoid the dentist altogether! As a result, dental assistants have assumed a crucial role in the oral healthcare field — helping alleviate patient anxiety and ensuring that patients have a positive visit.

Dental Anxiety is No Joke
If you think that oral health isn’t as important as physical health — think again. Oral health is an indicator of overall health and wellbeing. Moreover, gum disease has been linked to numerous other health concerns including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and respiratory problems, according to the National Women’s Health Resource Center and The American Academy of Periodontology.

Unfortunately, dental anxiety often prevents people from getting the oral care they need. In fact, the Dental Phobia Treatment Center of New York estimates that 9 to 15 percent of Americans actually avoid going to the dentist because of dental anxiety. In 2000, former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher released the first-ever Surgeon General’s report on Oral Health, in which he went so far as to call poor oral health an “overlooked epidemic.”

But if you are one of the millions of Americans who avoid the dentist, take comfort. Technological advances in dental care are helping minimize patient discomfort and dental assistants are working hard to ensure that your experience will be a positive one.

Dental Assistants Help Relieve Fears
On a more personal front, dental assistants are working to ensure patients have a positive visit. Dental assistants play a crucial role in establishing a welcoming office environment, says Dianne Craner, dental program chairperson at Everest Institute’s Grand Rapids, Mich., campus. “A dental assistant can recognize patient anxiety just by observing body language,” she says.

A dental pick and inspection mirror aren’t the dental assistant’s only tools. Dental assistants use a variety of techniques including humor and in-depth explanations of procedures to help patients feel at ease in the hot seat. “Humor is one of our most important tools, it helps us keep the mood light and assure our patients that there is absolutely nothing to worry about,” Craner adds.

One-on-One Interactions Make the Difference
“The patient load for the average dentist has increased tremendously over the last 20 years, making it physically impossible for the dentist to spend a lot of time reassuring anxious patients,” says Dr. Robert Fisher, dental program chairperson at Everest Institute in Chesapeake, Va.

That’s where the dental assistant comes in. “In your typical dental practice today, the role of “comforter” has been assumed by the dental assistant who can take time to explain procedures in depth and establish a personal relationship with the patient,” Fisher adds.

A Responsive Staff and Efficient Office
In addition to helping calm patients, dental assistants are really the behind-the-scenes actors that make a dental office run smoothly, which goes a long way in ensuring patients have a positive overall experience. “A dental assistant is really the dentist’s right hand,” says Rhonda Heard, dental assisting instructor at Everest Institute’s Brighton, Mass., campus. “Dental assistants have one of the most varied jobs in a dental office. We work with patients, man the front desk, and perform numerous treatment and laboratory procedures.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent in the coming years. Projection data shows that dental assistants will be one of the fastest growing occupations nationwide through 2014.

“There’s a real need out there. Dental assistants are the crucial link that can help someone overcome their fear of the dentist once and for all, and that can really impact that patient’s oral health in the long run,” says Dr. Fisher.

For more information about a career in dental assisting, call (714) 427-3000 ext., 293.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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