Interview with a Dental Assistant Professional

Wong enrolled in a 10-month program at Seattle Vocational Institute (SVI), and soon discovered how much dental assisting and massage therapy have in common. "They both have to do with anatomy and physiology, how the joints and muscles and nerves work. There's a strong focus on each person as a unique individual. In our office, we don't just think about what's happening in people's mouths, but systemically; something happening with the gums may be caused by the digestive system."

Julie's dental assistant training at SVI included technical classes such as:

• Radiography
• Anatomy
• Physiology

Her program also required practical knowledge of a dental office, including:

• Charting
• Tray set-ups
• Sterilization

As a dental assistant student, she also gained experience with direct patient contact. "I dressed up as a tooth fairy and recruited athletes at the Special Olympics to come into the Smile Mobile to have a dentist give them a free dental screening. I also did an internship at the University of Washington for people with disabilities. That really put me on the spot—it's a challenge when you get out into the real world and start working with people."

Wong's interest in holistic care led her to the office of Dr. Mitch Marder in Seattle. "I really appreciate the whole body approach we use at the office. We often refer people to chiropractors, naturopaths, massage therapists or speech therapists. We do a lot of silver filling removal, which our patients often seek." In the course of her day, she meets and talks with patients and assists the dentist with a variety of tasks. "I'll seat the patient and ask how they're feeling and what their concerns are. It's always a two-way conversation. I do mostly chairside assisting, tooth cleaning for kids and x-rays, and I make the alginates for night guards and daytime appliances. We also screen for jaw problems. And of course, replacement fillings and crowns are a big part of our practice."

Wong found a mentor in an experienced dental assistant who has become the office manager. "She showed me how to mark and adjust a night guard. It's a pinpoint job, and the patient will wear this in their mouths for hours at a time, so it has to be perfect. She really backed me up and gave me confidence. There's a lot of artistry in making crowns; they're like little jewels that have to fit the tooth just right. Hopefully I'm starting to reflect some of that knowledge—at first I was afraid to touch those, and now I can do a good job."

"It's so exciting to hear people's stories. When someone has TMJ pain and our office is able to correct it, it makes me proud of the work I'm a part of. It's great to see kids get their teeth straightened, and when the braces come off, the kids are usually more confident. It feels like a safe environment, where we do something positive for people."

Dental assisting can be challenging, especially when you're still learning essential job skills. Wong has been in the dental assistant field for about a year. For Wong, listening to patients is key to enjoying her work. "There's a lot to learn. You have to be good to yourself and have patience with yourself as well as the other person. It can be very fast paced—sometimes the settings are timed to the second, and you have to tune into that clock. You have to think two or three steps ahead of the dentist, to be ready with the materials and not drop anything!"

Stress management helps Wong enjoy her work and continue to expand her skills as a dental assistant. "I relieve a lot of my stress by going to the gym, playing with the dog, and talking with my co-workers. We have a weekly meeting where we talk about what's going on and help each other out. A sense of humor is really important. And of course, you have to like the dentist. You're working together in a very small space, not only the office but actually in someone's mouth. You get to know what the dentist expects, the standard routine, and you can anticipate what will be needed."