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Opportunities grow for dental careersDear Dr. Reitz: In a previous column you discussed career opportunities in the dental field. You described the education necessary to become a dental hygienist and mentioned expanded function dental assisting without explaining the educational requirements. I am thinking of a career change and want to know what opportunities existed in the dental field? - Barry Dear Barry: My childhood dentist worked alone in a small office, doing everything from filling teeth to answering the phone. Over time most dentists realized more is accomplished in a day if they delegate tasks that do not require the dentist's expertise. A dentist practicing without a staff is both lonely and inefficient. In a typical dental office the dental assistant prepares the room for the patient, assists the dentist in the delivery of care by handing instruments, dismisses the patient, cleans up and then sterilizes the instruments. In addition, that person is usually responsible for ordering supplies and making sure the delivery of dental care runs smoothly. Over the years, dentists realized that with proper training a dental assistant could place fillings after the dentist drills the tooth. This led to the creation of a new class of dental employee often called an expanded function dental assistant. Unlike dentists and dental hygienists which have national education standards, EFDA education guidelines and what they are permitted to do are decided by each state. Most EFDA training programs are held at community colleges and, depending on the school, offer either an evening program or an associate's degree day program. Before considering a career as an EFDA, I would first suggest you train and work as a dental assistant. Working alongside a dentist will give you the basic information necessary to do the more advanced skills required of an EFDA. Another career opportunity in dentistry is the dental laboratory technician. Replacement teeth such as crowns and dentures are all made in a dental laboratory either in the dental office or at an off-site location. Porcelain is turned into beautiful and natural looking teeth by highly skilled technicians. Although there are many dental laboratory training courses throughout the country, most technicians are trained on the job. This column is written by John Reitz, DDS, and does not represent the opinion of the Pennsylvania State Dental Board. Dr Reitz answers questions from readers. E-mail them via his Web site at reitzdds.com or mail to John Reitz, DDS, 30 Commerce Drive, Wyomissing PA 19610 John
V. Reitz, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. Copyright
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