Would you like to be a tooth fairy?
Sherry Messenger knows how that feels. This certified dental assistant
helped organize the Tooth Trolley Project with some colleagues. These good
people rented a "Tooth Trolley" from a bus company. They brought a group of
needy children to a downtown dental school for screening.
"Two dentists went through all these little mouths and we saw some horrific
things," she said. It was sad to see, but it also felt good to know she was
helping.
Many changes have occurred in the profession since Messenger graduated
in 1975. She says her professional association has made a big difference.
Today the law allows dental assistants to do many things that they could
not do in the past. "It makes it more fun and more challenging," she says.
"It is more pleasant working in an office when you are not just a fixture."
Messenger has had a variety of jobs in the field. She has worked in a small
one-dentist office for many years. She loves her job and the people. Sometimes
she has worked with a patient's parents or even grandparents.
There is a lot of laughter at work. Her co-workers like to play practical
jokes and kid around.
Messenger thinks it is helpful if dental assistants have a sense of humor
and are outgoing. It calms the patients and makes them happier. "You don't
want a dental assistant who is all strung out," she remarks.
The work can be sad at times. Sometimes people are terrified. They had
bad experiences with dentistry years ago. They don't understand that most
dentistry today is painless.
"We say, 'Listen, this is where you are now, but it is going to get better,'"
Messenger says. "We don't always see them at their best."
Timelines also create stress. It's hard to fit everything in on busy days.
The biggest stress doesn't come from the office, though. The biggest stress
comes from lobbying efforts to bring legislative changes to their profession.
She would like to see a legal requirement that all dental assistants be credentialed
before they can practice. Not everyone agrees with this, Messenger says. "I
have some good friends in the other arena. Everyone has a different point
of view," she points out. "If you let that get to you, there is a problem."
Messenger advises newcomers to be their own advocate. She says it's a wonderful
profession, so don't settle for an office that doesn't meet your needs. Messenger
also says that dental assistants have to take care of themselves. Some dentists
don't follow employment standards. "Get your education. Join your professional
association and be active," she advises.
Like Messenger, Nicolai Cowan loves his job. Cowan works for a dental practice
in a small town. This is his first job since he graduated from his training
program 18 months ago. Someday he would like to be a dentist himself. Not
many men work as dental assistants. Cowan says his former dentist inspired
him to go into the field.
Unfortunately, after he finished his training, he could not find work in
his home town. He had to take a job in another location.
"No one gave me a chance until I met the dentist I work for," he explains.
"He was the best dentist I could find! Every day is a pleasure going to work!"
Although Cowan misses his friends and family, he says he never wants to leave
his employer. He enjoys working inside. He also likes being part of a team
and having an opportunity to interact with the public. "I like the responsibility
that goes with the job," Cowan comments.
Cowan works as many hours as he can -- sometimes 40 or 45 hours a week.
Sometimes the dentist takes him to the hospital where they work with elderly
patients under general anesthetic.
"We're working in a hospital scene and we're taking out around 25 teeth
or more," he says.
Miriam Swartz is a dental assistant who graduated from an accredited program.
She is the president of the Massachusetts Dental Assistants Association and
has been a member of the American Dental Assistants Association for 30 years.
Swartz also has certification allowing her to assist with dental surgery.
At one point in her career, she worked as implant coordinator for the oral
surgery instructor at Tufts University. Today she works in a small dental
office.
Swartz chose the profession because she likes working with her hands. When
she was in high school, she loved watching her dentist at work. "It's like
an art form," she comments. "Dentistry is a very creative field!"
There is always something new to learn. She has traveled for training events.
If dentists see you are interested, they will often help you get special training.
At one training event, Swartz volunteered to have 10 veneers put on her
teeth as part of a classroom learning experience. "Not only did I have this
work done, but I participated in the classroom learning," said Swartz.
Swartz points out that you can make as much of this profession as you want.
You can say, "It's just a job," or you can make it into a fabulous career.
Those in the field emphasize that the work is important. People have died
from massive infections in an untreated tooth. Also, certain diseases first
show up in the mouth. Staph infections can start out as a tooth infection.
Swallowing a lot of tartar can cause heart disease and heart problems.
"It's about more than having a fancy smile," Swartz remarks. "That's why
it's so important that people get trained in this profession."
She adds that the profession needs people who have a good
work ethic, who want to help people and who are compassionate. If this is
you, she definitely recommends the field. You also have to be good with your
hands. "You don't have to be an artist, but you can't be all thumbs!"