To be the best...

What are the top 3 traits or skills every dental assistant must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your dental assistant expertise?

The best trait you can have is to be a real people person, and always remember that the patients are very nervous, and you have to make them feel comfortable and safe. Also make sure that you have everything prepared for the dentist and yourself. And never try dong something that you aren't sure about, if you don't know how to do something then don't do it.

I think the best 3 traits any Dental Assistant should have are:
1. The ability to leave their troubles at the door when they come into work and BE at work. NO TEXT MESSAGING distractions. Leave the cell phone in your purse on vibrate and only check it on your breaks.
2. Be a warm inviting person for your patients and set the tone of ease and confidence. Take control of the situation and be PROFESSIONAL. Have real knowledge to teach and serve. Be your doctor's ears, eyes, and when needed, his hands. YOU ARE VALUABLE!
3. Be a fanatic about OSHA requirements regarding sterilization!! Never bag a dirty, cement/blood caked instrument, and ALWAYS stay busy stocking, cleaning, organizing etc... even if the office is dead slow.

every word you said is so true!!!!! i have been doing this job for 10 years, and you are right on the money about our TRAITS!!!!!

I have found that the best traits is it spoil your dentist. already know his moves and have it right there under his nose waiting for him. he should never have to look up to get it .

The best traits are:
-To have a positive attitude.
-Outgoing personality.
-Dependable and responsible.
-Well groomed.
-Caring and compassionate.
-Honest-Integrity.
-Teachable-willing to learn.
-Committed.
-Strong work ethic.
-Great communication skills.
-A team player.

These qualities are listed in order of importance and based on a survey of dentists done by dental consultant Rosemary Bray.

The best advice I have is that to be "one of the best" always be one step ahead of the dentist you are working for. That means you will need to predict what the next step will be.

Host said: What are the top 3 traits or skills every dental assistant must have to excel?

Can you suggest any tips or insights to develop your dental assistant expertise?

mel in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma said: I have found that the best traits is it spoil your dentist. already know his moves and have it right there under his nose waiting for him. he should never have to look up to get it .

I agree with this you should know every step of a procedure so that the dentist does not have to stop what he is doing to get something. That makes you a great assistant.

CREED FOR DENTAL ASSISTANTS
To be loyal to my employer, my calling and myself.
To develop initiative – having the courage to assume responsibility and the imagination to create and develop them.
To be prepared to visualize, take advantage of, and fulfill the opportunities of my calling.
To be a co-worker; creating a spirit of cooperation and friendliness rather than one of faultfinding and criticism.
To be enthusiastic; for therein lies the easiest way to accomplishment.
To be generous, not alone of my name but of my praise and time.
To be tolerant with my associates, for at times I too make mistakes.
To be friendly, realizing that friendship bestows and receives happiness.
To be systematic, believing that system makes for efficiency.
To know the value of time for both my employer and myself.
To safeguard my health, for good health is necessary for the acheivement of a successful career.
To be tactful; always doing the right thing at the right time.
To be courteous; for this is the badge of good breeding.
To walk on the sunny side of the street, seeing the beautiful things in life rather than fearing the shadows.
To keep smiling always.
Juliette A. Southard
Founder of the American Dental Assistants Association