Have You Thanked your Dental Assistant Lately?

Have you thanked your dental assistant lately? These skilled professionals keep your visit safe, comfortable and on schedule. They do far more than most patients notice. Here is a look at the work they handle from the moment you sit down until you leave.

When you think about a trip to the dentist, you probably picture the dentist. But a dental office would be a very different place without its dental assistants. They prepare the room, set out the instruments, take X-rays, help during treatment, keep everything sterile and make sure you are comfortable from start to finish. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, we think they deserve a lot more credit than they get.

What a dental assistant does before you arrive

A lot of work happens before you ever sit in the chair. A dental assistant typically:

Reviews your chart and the treatment planned for the day.
Prepares the treatment room with the right instruments and materials for your visit.
Makes sure every surface you touch has been cleaned and disinfected.
Checks that sterilized instruments are sealed and ready.
Sets up equipment such as the digital X-ray sensor, intraoral camera or 3D scanner.

That preparation is a big reason appointments run smoothly and on time.

What a dental assistant does during your visit

Once you are seated, the assistant is usually the person who welcomes you, reviews any changes in your health or medications and answers your questions. During treatment, the assistant works side by side with the dentist. That can include:

Taking X-rays and images. Digital X-rays use up to 90% less radiation than older film X-rays, and assistants are trained to capture clear images quickly. They may also take photos with an intraoral camera so you can see what the dentist sees.
Taking digital scans. Instead of goopy impression trays, the iTero Element 3D scanner can capture a digital model of your teeth for crowns, Invisalign and other treatment.
Passing instruments. Handing the right tool at the right moment keeps treatment efficient and shortens your time in the chair.
Keeping your mouth clear. Suction and gentle rinsing help the dentist see and keep you comfortable.
Mixing and placing materials. Assistants prepare filling materials, temporary crowns and bonding agents.
Recording details. Notes, measurements and findings go into your chart so your care is consistent from visit to visit.
Watching out for you. An assistant often notices first if you are uncomfortable, anxious or need a break.

Assistants help with nearly every kind of treatment, from white fillings and crowns to root canals, teeth whitening and dental implants.

Expanded Functions Dental Assistants

Some assistants take their training further. In Pennsylvania, an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant, or EFDA, completes additional education and certification that allows certain hands-on tasks under a dentist's supervision, such as placing and shaping some types of fillings. It is a demanding credential, and it lets the whole team care for patients more efficiently.

At Southern York Smile Care, Madi Backel is our Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. Patients get to know Madi well, and that familiar face makes a real difference, especially for anyone who feels nervous about dental visits. You can meet the rest of the team on our meet the team page.

The work you do not see: infection control

One of the most important parts of an assistant's job happens behind the scenes. After every patient, assistants:

Clean and disinfect the chair, light, counters and equipment.
Collect used instruments and carry them to the sterilization area.
Clean, package and sterilize instruments so they are safe for the next patient.
Replace single-use items and protective barriers.
Follow strict guidelines for handling materials and protecting patients and staff.

You may never see this work, but it is a major part of why a dental visit is safe.

Helping you feel at ease

For many people, the dental chair is not a favorite place. A calm, kind assistant can change that. Assistants explain what is happening, check in during treatment and offer small comforts like a blanket, a pause or a quick rinse. If you feel anxious, let the team know. Southern York Smile Care offers oral sedation, and our sedation dentistry page explains how each works.

Assistants are also great teachers. They often show patients how to brush and floss around crowns, implants or Invisalign attachments, and how to care for teeth after a procedure. Our post-op instructions page covers many of the questions they answer every day.

A team approach to your care

Good dentistry is a team effort. Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS, has more than 35 years in practice, earned a DDS cum laude from the University of Detroit and completed an advanced residency with the US Air Force. That experience goes furthest with a skilled team alongside. At Southern York Smile Care, the team includes:

Madi Backel, Expanded Functions Dental Assistant.
Kelley Fisher, Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, who helps with treatment plans, insurance questions and financing.
Scott Hittie, Business Manager.

Each person plays a part in making your visit smooth, comfortable and effective. You can learn more about Dr. Haywood on the meet the doctor page.

Simple ways to say thank you

Thanking your dental assistant does not take much. A few ideas:

Say thank you by name at the end of your visit.
Arrive on time and fill out forms ahead, which helps the whole day run smoothly.
Let the team know about changes in your health or medications before treatment starts.
Follow home-care advice, because healthy teeth are the best reward.
Leave an online review that mentions the people who helped you.

Small gestures like these mean a lot to people who spend their days caring for others.

Thinking about a career in dental assisting?

If you enjoy working with people, like hands-on work and want a career in health care, dental assisting is worth a look. Training programs are offered through many community colleges and technical schools, and experienced assistants can go on to earn expanded functions certification. Ask any assistant what they like about the job, and you will often hear the same answer: helping a nervous patient leave with a smile. You can see current openings at our practice on the employment opportunities page.

Visit our team in Shrewsbury

We would love to welcome you to Southern York Smile Care, whether you need a cleaning, a filling or are curious about cosmetic options like veneers, implants, a gum lift or a smile makeover. We are at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA, and serve York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD. Call (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment.

Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS, in a white coat

About the authorDr. Steven Haywood, DDS

DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.

Meet Dr. Haywood →