There are always going to be perks and drawbacks when you choose to pursue a new career, and it pays off to know what your preferences and tolerances are before you commit to a new path! This notion especially holds true if you’re considering becoming a dental assistant; while there are several incredible pros to this career path, you should also consider your preferences and tendencies before choosing it. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about becoming a dental assistant if you’re particularly squeamish.

The Promising Benefits of Becoming a Dental Assistant

If you’re thinking about becoming a dental assistant, you should know that it’s a very promising and fulfilling career, even if there are moments that might make one feel a little squeamish. That said, consider some of the awesome benefits to the profession:

• The field is growing! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job’s growing at a faster than average rate.
• The training takes less than a year, and several portions of the coursework are offered online for maximum flexibility and affordability.
• Your work directly helps people with their dental health, and you’ll become a very valuable asset to your dentist’s team!
• Dental offices are great places to work, as they present a smaller, close-knit atmosphere in a clean environment. The workday also offers a nice amount of variety!

Personality Preferences to Consider Before Becoming a Dental Assistant

It’s worth mentioning that like all jobs, there are some potential negatives to consider when working as a dental assistant. However, the ability to tolerate these factors depends on your personality, experience and quite frankly, your courage! Consider the following:

• If you have a strong aversion to germs, even when health precautions are in place, you might be a poor candidate for any work that brings you into contact with a patient’s mouth such as dental assisting.
• Dental assisting is also a very detail-oriented job, meaning that strong organizational skills and attentiveness are vital.
• There will definitely be the occasional gross situation or cleanup needed involving blood, pus or other bodily fluids, if you’re incredibly squeamish, you might have a little difficulty.

The bottom line is that some elements of any job will be unpleasant, but it’s wise to know that if you’re particularly squeamish, working as a dental assistant might be challenging. Nonetheless, if you’re willing to brave the especially gross parts of the job, you’ll find yourself invested in a rewarding and valuable profession!

About the NE Dental Academy

The team here at NE Dental Academy has helped hundreds of students become successful dental assistants and discover a fulfilling career, and they’d be thrilled to help you next! If you have any questions about the article or the program, feel free to contact us online or over the phone for additional information: (508) 425-6644.