Associate Dentist Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an associate dentist. Feel free to use our Associate Dentist job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an associate dentist.
Who is an Associate Dentist?
An associate dentist is an entry-level employee who works closely with a licensed dentist. An associate dentist may be responsible for scheduling appointments, sterilizing and arranging instruments, escorting patients, taking X-rays, and performing routine clerical work. Although formal education is not always required, many high school vocational programs offer training to become an associate dentist. Certain dentists provide on-the-job training to associate dentists.
Associate dentist responsibilities vary by office. Numerous states, for example, require additional certification and training before an associate dentist is permitted to operate an x-ray machine. By and large, associate dentists are not permitted to perform surgical procedures on patients. In most cases, an effective associate dentist assists the dentist during a procedure by suctioning excess saliva or providing instruments. Cleanings are frequently performed by trained dental hygienists, who frequently complete college-level vocational training.
Additionally, an associate dentist may spend time comforting patients, particularly small children. This may necessitate exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work under duress. A successful associate dentist must also be extremely professional when scheduling appointments and resolving patients’ concerns and questions.
Associate dentists typically earn a low starting salary for a job in the medical field. Without x-ray certification, an entry-level associate dentist may earn only $8 to $12 per hour, depending on the size and location of the dentistry center. Associate dentists may be limited in their advancement to the office manager or a position of seniority among coworkers. To maximize career advancement opportunities, an associate dentist may consider training as a dental hygienist or enrolling in dental school.
As is the case with many other entry-level to mid-level positions in the medical field, the associate dentist position is in high demand. Turnover rates can be high as employees seek more responsible employment opportunities elsewhere. A distinct possibility is to become an associate dentist directly out of a high school vocational program. Additionally, some private educational institutions and community colleges offer dental assisting training.
Associate dentists must have a high level of manual dexterity, be able to work closely with the dentist, and exhibit excellent customer service skills.
Associate dentist jobs are of different types. The most common type is the fundamental associate dentist position. This is a general assistant position that requires completion of an associate dentist course. These are short-term courses that require between nine and eleven months of coursework.
Graduates earn a certificate upon completion of the program that qualifies them to work in entry-level associate dentist positions. Students who enroll in a vocational or community college can earn this certificate. Other students who prefer a more flexible format can earn their certificate through distance education.
Associate dentist positions are available in a wide variety of settings. For instance, an associate dentist may work in a dental practice alongside a single dentist or a group of dentists. The associate dentist may work under the supervision of a specialist in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, or another specialty of dentistry.
Associate dentists may find employment in clinics, schools, nursing homes, and public health. Some associate dentists choose to continue their education and become dental hygienists.
Individuals interested in becoming associate dentists can anticipate a diverse set of responsibilities within the dentist’s office. They may place orders for supplies, assist the dentist during dental procedures, and gather medical information about patients. Associate dentists may perform dental X-rays and educate patients on proper tooth care. Regardless of the tasks assigned to an associate dentist, all associate dentists must exhibit a caring, competent demeanor. This increases patients’ comfort and relaxation, which contributes to a more positive experience at the dentist’s office.
Associate Dentist Job Description
What is an associate dentist job description? An associate dentist job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of an associate dentist in an organization. Below are the Associate Dentist job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an associate dentist job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an associate dentist include the following:
- Examining the teeth and gums of patients to diagnose and treat various oral health problems.
- Aiding exams by the use of X-rays and computer-generated imaging.
- Educating patients about proper oral hygiene and advising them on how to care for themselves following certain dental procedures.
- Prescribing antibiotics and pain medications to patients as needed.
- Assembling and sterilizing all dental instruments and equipment before each use.
- Obtaining impressions of patients’ mouths to fabricate custom mouthguards and dentures.
- Diagnosing and treating patients suffering from oral diseases.
- Providing dental services such as cleaning, root canal therapy, extractions, fillings, bridges, crowns, and dentures, among others.
- Educating patients on proper oral hygiene and the importance of preventive dental care.
- Ensuring that OSHA and dental board procedures are followed.
- Keeping up with the latest developments in the field of dentistry.
- Following up on patients’ progress and keeping track of treatment records.
- Collaborating with clinic staff to provide high-quality patient care.
- Resolving clinical issues expeditiously and accurately.
- Assisting other dentists who are on vacation.
Qualifications
- A state license.
- Certification in CPR.
- Worked in a dental practice for at least one year.
- Capacity to operate a variety of dental instruments and equipment.
- The capacity to maintain composure under duress.
- Capability to work in a team environment.
- Excellent coordination of the hands and eyes.
- Superior communication abilities.
- Sustaining a helpful and polite demeanor.
Essential Skills
- Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills enable individuals to interact with one another. This is a necessary characteristic if you wish to work in the field of dentistry. Associate dentists work in close collaboration with dentists and their patients. Occasionally, patients may be in pain or stressed, necessitating sensitivity to the emotions of those around them.
Additionally, as an associate dentist, you may interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. Adaptable communication is critical to ensuring the quality of dental office care. You may want to inform patients about what to expect during their appointment. Additionally, you may act as a liaison between patients and a dentist, requiring exceptional communication skills.
- Listening skills
Prepare to listen to patients and other healthcare professionals as an associate dentist. Associate dentists assist dentists and dental hygienists in treating patients and performing tasks such as X-ray processing. An associate dentist must face the patient and maintain eye contact to be an effective listener. Additionally, they can provide regular feedback to help the patient or dentist understand what is being said.
- Superior organizational abilities
The dentist’s office environment is dynamic and constantly changing. As an associate dentist, you must be prepared to take on a variety of responsibilities. Excellent associate dentists demonstrate their preparedness by maintaining an extraordinary level of organization.
- Attention to details
Attentiveness to detail is a necessary characteristic when it comes to ensuring a patient’s comfort and safety in the office. A detail-oriented person is capable of paying attention to and concentrating on critical details.
- Communication skills
Communication is critical in any workplace, but it is especially critical in a dental office. You may require continuous contact with the rest of the team to ensure that schedules run smoothly. Additionally, you may act as a liaison between various parties who require effective communication.
- Dexterity
Associate dentists must have exceptional dexterity to assist dentists or dental hygienists during procedures. Having exceptional dexterity enables you to operate dental instruments and equipment during examinations. Additionally, this ability may assist you with administrative tasks such as typing.
- Administrative skills
Associate dentists spend the majority of their time in the office performing administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, maintaining patient files, and answering phones. Attention to detail, effective time management, and a working knowledge of basic medical file systems and technology are also necessary.
- Technical aptitudes
A dental associate must understand dental medications and be able to predict the sequence of tasks during complex dental procedures.
- Adherence to strict instructions
A significant portion of an associate dentist’s job is to adhere to protocols. While each dentist may have their protocol, every dental office must adhere to infection control standards. Maintaining a sterilized, sanitized, and tidy dental office is a critical aspect of the associate dentist’s job. Additionally, associate dentists must adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA) privacy requirements for patient information. The assistant should maintain the confidentiality of all information and follow all safety protocols.
- Multitasking skills
Associate dentists perform a variety of tasks. They assist patients while they are seated in a dental chair, assist the dentist during procedures, and sterilize instruments and equipment. All of these associate dentist responsibilities necessitate multitasking abilities.
- Quick thinker and problem solver
Dental healthcare facilities are typically fast-paced environments. Patients may visit regularly, filling the majority of the day. The fast-paced nature of the workday requires the associate dentist to think quickly, process information, make decisions, and implement instructions immediately.
- Positivity
Associate dentistry is a patient-centered profession. Along with an appreciation for interpersonal relationships, a positive attitude can help you advance in this career. Dental patients are not always enthusiastic about their oral health. To succeed, associate dentists must develop the habit of transforming a patient’s unpleasant experience into a positive one.
- Teamwork
Associate dentists may work independently or as part of a team. Throughout the day, an associate dentist may be required to assist others in the dental office. Additionally, they may be the only assistant in an office with multiple tasks, emphasizing the importance of being adaptable and willing to assist.
How to Become an Associate Dentist
- Network while you are in school
Networking is advantageous during dental school — as opposed to after graduation.
This is because you must earn a future position as an associate dentist with an established practice. If you meet and develop relationships with practicing dentists while in school, those relationships may help you secure an associate position after graduation.
You may wish to have as little downtime as possible between graduation and starting your first employed position as a new dentist; therefore, do not wait until graduation to cultivate critical relationships within the dental industry.
Even if you work for a single dentist, it’s beneficial to develop professional relationships with several dentists and other industry professionals.
- Select an Employer
There are a few options for your first employer following dental school. The most frequent choice is between a corporate office setting and a small practice.
Numerous dental graduates may find employment as associate dentists in corporate offices, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Consider working as an associate dentist for a corporation or a dental service organization (DSO). Indeed, in some instances, larger corporations or DSOs may provide you with a more secure employment opportunity than small practices for a variety of reasons.
For instance, a corporate dentist practice will certainly offer a more defined path of advancement for you as a new dentist, whereas smaller practices may require you to wait for the primary dentist or owner to retire before you can advance your career.
Of course, a small practice allows you to develop close relationships with members of your community and develop lifelong relationships with your patients.
As a result, it’s critical to understand that each option has several advantages and disadvantages. Whether you’re considering a corporate setting or a smaller, local practice, ensure that any employer you consider shares your company culture and personal values.
Often, these are non-negotiable. You must agree on the value and direction of any practice you join to advance your career in the direction you desire.
- Determine When to Continue
As an associate dentist, you will have numerous career advancement opportunities. As a result, if you maintain a positive reputation, you may be offered opportunities to transition to a different practice.
While job-hopping is uncommon in dental careers, you do have the option of finding work elsewhere as a dental associate. On the other hand, this is less feasible for dentist-entrepreneurs, who are unlikely to want to leave a business without selling it.
This freedom is one of the most significant benefits of being an associate dentist and may make it a better option than starting your practice.
It’s critical to recognize when your ideal job opportunity may be available at another practice. When you realize you need to move on, immediately begin preparing to do so. Bear in mind that the independence you now have as an associate dentist should be embraced.
Where to Work as an Associate Dentist
The majority of associate dentists work in hospitals, healthcare facilities, small clinics, etc.
Dentist offices must be clean, and assistants can expect to adhere to safety and health policies by keeping the treatment area clean and following proper protocol for handling and disposing of potentially hazardous materials.
Associate Dentist Salary Scale
Associate Dentists earn an average annual salary of $167,281 in the United States.