Dental Assistants in Orthodontics

Dental Assistants are becoming more and more popular in the area of orthodontics. This is due to new technology for orthodontics as well as the increase in the number of children and adults seeking orthodontic care. Dental Assistants normally complete a variety of duties including sterilizing dental tools and assisting both Dentists and Hygienist with procedures. This generally entails sitting in on such procedures, handing the staff the necessary tools and equipment as the procedure it taking place. Dental Assistants may also find themselves assisting with lab work.

The role of Dental Assistant in the area of Orthodontics is different. They will generally still be responsible for sterilizing all dental tools. However, they will have more hands on work inside the mouth of the patient. These tasks include fixing loose brackets, changing rubber bands, and tightening wires. Many Dental Assistants love working in orthodontics because of the hands on work they get to do with the patient. They also enjoy getting to see the patient every few weeks from the beginning of the process until the end. Generally individuals wear braces for two years or longer.

Being a Dental Assistant in an orthodontic setting is not something that is commonly taught in a Dental Assistant program. It is a specific area of specialization, and most Dental Assistant programs are designed to give you an understanding of the basic elements of dentistry only.

Most training for Dental Assistants in the area of orthodontics takes place on the job. Generally, by having another Dental Assistant walk you through the process, then watching you perform it on actual patients. This can be intimidating for some Dental Assistants as they are used to learning by observing in the dental field rather than taking on the task at hand. Other Dental Assistants thrive in this type of learning environment, enabling them to really excel in the orthodontic field.

With the use of Dental Assistants, many orthodontic offices are meeting the demand for treatment in a very unique way. Dental Assistants are set up to specialize in a particular area of the orthodontic process. Many patients are scheduled for the same appointment time, and then dispersed to various dental assistants depending on their needs.

For example, one such dental facility has all patients sign in to see the Orthodontist first. He quickly reviews their progress, documents the chart, and puts the chart into a file on the wall. Dental Assistants come here to pull the charts of those in their slot on the wall. There are Dental Assistants to take X-Rays and to make adjustments. These adjustments include adjusting wires and changing rubber bands. Other Dental Assistants perform repairs including changing brackets and removing excess cement on the teeth. There are also Dental Assistants to remove the braces and others to take the molds for retainers.

Once the patient has seen the necessary Dental Assistant based on the needs that should be addressed during that visit, the patient is taken back to the area where they first signed in. They again see the dentist who reviews the work completed by the Dental Assistant. The Dentist will record necessary notes on the chart including when the patient should be seen again.

The patient then takes their chart to the reception area, schedules an appointment, and they are on their way. This method has proven to be fast and effective. It is well organized, like worker ants doing their part to make it all flow well.

Dental Assistant Licensing Requirements

Licensing Requirements for Dental Assistants vary by state. In some states you dont even have to be licensed, only show that you have completed a Dental Assistant course of on the job training. If your particular state offers a licensing option, it is to your advantage to obtain licensing as you will have a better chance of being hired over those who arent licensed. In general, you can also expect to be paid more than those who are qualified, yet not licensed. There are not Federal Guidelines in regards to Dental Assistant licensing. Everything takes place on the state level.

The Dental Assistant licensing exam is often referred to as DAT, short for Dental Admission Test. The test may be complied of basic information including tools used in dental offices, procedures, safety, and technology. Many states require you to complete procedures you will actually use in a dental office for an examiner. This will likely include showing your skills on safety and proper cleansing of tools.

Most Dental Assistant programs and on the job training programs are well aware of the licensing requirements in your state. The programs are customized to meet all those requirements and help prepare you for both the written and procedural portions of the exam. They can also assist you in finding out when the exam will be conducted in your area.

Regardless if licensing is required in your state or not, not employers require Dental Assistants to complete a background check prior to starting employment. This is for the safety and protection of the patients as well as the staff. If you have a criminal background, it may prevent you from being able to work as a Dental Assistant in some states. In others, you will only be barred if the crime was sexual in nature or violent in nature. Still yet, other states only prevent you from being hired as a Dental Assistant if you have a felony conviction in the past seven years.

If you think your background check will be a factor in gaining employment as a Dental Assistant, it is very important to check into the state requirements prior to enrolling in and completing a program. It is not advised to lie on your application either as almost all dentist offices will conduct a thorough background check on all individuals they are considering offering employment to.

Most Dental Assistant licenses are valid for a certain length of time. Generally three to five years. As your renewal comes due, you will be sent a questionnaire from your State Medical Board. It will ask you questions pertaining to your employment, about any convictions or pending issues that have taken place. Keep in mind that your Dental Assistant license can be revoked if the information you place on the renewal is found to be inaccurate or if you have been involved in criminal activity during the licensing period.

It is very important that you understand Dental Assistant licensing requirements as they vary greatly from state to state. Therefore, if you are planning to move to another state make sure you can transfer your license to that state. You will be able to if your license is in good standing and the State Dental Board is not investigating any complaints about you. The state you are transferring your license to must have the same level of requirements or less. It the new state requirements are more than you have, then you will need to obtain the missing skills or classes in order to obtain a license.

Tips on How to Reduce Stress

Stress and anxiety should be managed and reduced as much as possible. Sometimes you get pressured from a lot for the work you do. Here are some tips on how you can manage and reduce stress and anxiety.

1. You can put into notes the things that you do when you are overwhelmed or satisfied. You may set a time frame for the things you need to accomplish. You may mark those things after you have accomplished the tasks. You may also divide by category the workload you need to finish. Make the work a little easier to do by dividing them into chunks and do not push yourself to be pressured in doing the work with limited time.

2. Do your tasks by allotting time for each work. Prioritize first those that have near deadlines. Concentrate in doing the work than thinking how you will finish it. You will feel relaxed and comfortable doing the next tasks after you have finished your first task.

3. Focus on one task at a time. When you are anxious about finishing the tasks that need to be done can bring you stress and anxiety. Reduce stress and anxiety by motivating yourself that you can do the work easily without even being pressured.

4. Reduce the stress and anxiety by learning how to manage your energy. You have to think wisely on how you can categorize the lesser important tasks and those very important ones. Save your energy to those workloads that may need a lot of effort and avoid using much of your energy to low-priority tasks.

5. You may seek help from friends. You could also distribute the workload and delegate the responsibility if you cannot accomplish it on time. You may hire a helper or a baby sitter for your children if you feel you are always under pressure.

6. It is important that you should reward yourself for finishing any work. This can help a lot in reducing stress and anxiety. Always acknowledge the work and the effort that you gave for a job well done. Take a little time cherishing the prize you owe yourself before you do the next tasks.

7. Do not rush yourself on the next task that awaits you. This can create a lot of anxiety and stress. Organize yourself first and prepare the things that you will need for the next tasks. Once you are ready, do the next tasks the way you have started your first. You now have the idea on how to start and how to finish a task no matter how difficult it can be.

8. It is important for you to have a break time during your works. You may take time for a cup of coffee or take a walk at the lobby to release the anxiety made by long hours of working. You may also take time to relax at your seat and make some stretching and deep breathing. This will help you in reducing anxiety and stress.

9. It is advisable that you exercise every day to keep your body active. Exercises have been proven to relieve the body and mind from tension.

10. Give yourself a short vacation after you have finished a stressful work. Assess yourself on the things that you can improve more. Ask yourself about the things that you may think would make you anxious and stressful. Sometimes things are not that serious that you become more pressured and anxious.

Life is wonderful that it should not make you stressful. Always find ways to help your body and mind relax. You do not have to look for complicated methods, even the simple things that relax can help you reduce anxiety and stress.

Treadmill and the Treadmill Heart Rate Monitor

With the increasing concerns to stay fit, many Americans would give their body the chance to shake those sleeping reactivated and shred some pounds every time they tip their weight. This is the reason why people exercise and the first type of exercise they do is running. And who would not agree? Running is the best form of exercise for it enables the every muscle to move.

And when we talk about running we often talk about treadmills. Not only it provides a better tool to keep track of our training, treadmills give us the convenience of being inside a safe room. With treadmills, we would not require ourselves to wear training clothes suitable for the summer days. We will never have any reason not to run during winter days. And we will never be able to miss one day of training if rain begins to fall outside our windows.

With treadmill, add we have to do is to step on it and off we go; no weather considerations, no outfit to match the cold, and no dogs to chase us while we run.

Meanwhile if you think that treadmill alone would do the job of getting us fit, well you can set those thinking aside. Although treadmill will give us the total body workout, treadmill is incomplete without the device that gives us report, not on the length we are going but the rate our heart is performing. Yes! Treadmill should have the heart rate monitor.

Treadmill heart rate monitor is a device that is attached on a treadmill as an added feature. It monitors the heart rate similar to a typical belt heart rate monitor and wrist heart rate monitor. The only difference is that, the treadmill heart rate monitor is attached on the treadmill and could not be carried around wherever you want.

Many treadmills today has a built in heart rate monitor. The function conforms to the general use of a heart rate monitor. It keeps you on tract with your heart rate while doing your exercise on the treadmill. It eliminates the need of checking your pulse manually which is often inaccurate and hard to do. Treadmill heart rate monitor guarantees every treadmill user that they get the right amount and intensity of training for the device would tell if you exceed your limit or you need to pick up you pace.

All in all, the treadmill heart rate monitor is safe, portable, and accurate.