Travel Dental Assistant

Table of Contents

In a world where people love to travel, even the healthcare industry has adapted to some extent.

One way it changed is with the Travel Dental Assistant career.

These professionals take care of dental health for people in different places. This article is about travel dental assistants and what they do to help people.

So, let’s get started!

What is a Travel Dental Assistant?

A travel dental assistant is a professional who assists dentists in performing their duties. They work in a variety of different places. They make sure dental work goes well. They help dentists during treatments. They also make sure patients get optimum care.

What makes them special is that they can work in many different settings. They can help in mobile dental clinics, temporary dental camps, cruise ships, resorts, or sometimes even in other countries.

Duties of a Travel Dental Assistant

A travel dental assistant does many different jobs to help dentists when they go to different places to work. Here are some important things they do:

Patient Preparation:

The dental assistant talks to patients and explains what will happen during their dental treatment. They help patients feel comfortable and might take pictures of their teeth, like X-rays, to get ready.

Helping the Dentist:

While the dentist is working on a patient’s teeth, the dental assistant gives tools to the dentist, cleans up liquids, and helps with materials and other instruments. This way, the dentist can focus on the work easily without facing any problems.

Cleaning and Infection Control:

A Travel Dental Assistant makes sure everything is clean because hygiene is very important during dental work. The dental assistant cleans tools, keeps the area germ-free, and follows rules to prevent sickness from spreading.

Doing Office Jobs:

Besides dental duties, a travel dental assistant might also do jobs like scheduling appointments, keeping records of patients, and handling bills. These things help the dental office run smoothly.

Educating Patients:

A Travel dental assistant teaches patients how to take care of their teeth and what to do after they get their dental treatment. This helps people keep their teeth healthy and avoid problems later.

Being Flexible and Adaptable:

A Travel Dental Assistant needs to be good at adjusting to new places and also with the equipment. They have to solve problems quickly as they work in different dental offices with different patients.

Understanding Different Cultures:

Since they work at different places, Travel Dental Assistants usually meet people from many backgrounds. They need to be respectful and understand different cultures so that patients trust them.

In simple words, a travel dental assistant helps the dentist in many ways when they go to different places. They make sure everything is clean, teach patients about teeth care, and do different jobs to help the dental office work well.

How to become a travel dental assistant

If you have chosen to start your career as a Travel Dental Assistant, it involves certain education, certification, and relevant experience.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to achieve your goal:

1. Education:

High School Diploma: A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required to begin a career as a dental assistant.

Dental Assistant Education:

Some states require formal education from an accredited dental assisting program, while others allow on-the-job training. You may consider enrolling in a dental assisting program offered by various schools and colleges.

2. NELDA Certification:

The National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) certification is offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

While certification requirements can vary by state, becoming certified surely gives you better growth opportunities and demonstrate your competence as a dental assistant.

To achieve NELDA certification, you need to complete a dental assisting program and pass the NELDA exam. This exam consists of three components: Infection Control, Radiation Health and Safety, and General Chairside Assisting.

3. Gain Experience:

After completing your education and obtaining NELDA certification, it’s important to gain practical experience. You can work as a travel dental assistant in various dental offices, clinics, or hospitals.

This experience will not only help you build your skills but also give you exposure to different dental procedures and patient populations.

4. Travel Dental Assistant:

Once you have gained a few years of experience as a dental assistant, you can explore the option of becoming a travel dental assistant.

Travel dental assistants are hired by various dental staffing agencies to provide temporary assistance to dental offices that need additional help.

Keep in mind that as a travel dental assistant, you’ll need to be flexible and adaptable.

Know more:
How Long Does It Take To Become a Dental Assistant?
Can a Dental Assistant Become a Dentist?
What education is required to be a dental assistant?
How much is dental assistant school