When Cindy Watts was looking at career choices, she decided
to become a dental assistant because of the short training
time. After high school, she took a 4-month vocational course.
She got a professional certificate in dental assisting and
technical training.
She stays in the field because she likes being challenged
at work. She also likes working closely with patients and
supportive co-workers. "It's very important
to work well with people," says Cindy. "You
have to be a people person. You need strong communication
skills, patience, and a willingness to listen. You should
also want to learn all the time."
Cindy is a dental assistant and an office manager. This
means she combines administrative duties with her work as
a chair-side assistant. As a dental assistant, she gets
the exam rooms and patients ready, takes x-rays, and records
patient medical histories. She also helps the dentist with
instruments and equipment during procedures and makes sure
the patient is okay.
As an office manager, Cindy takes care of the reception
desk. She schedules and confirms appointments with patients.
She takes care of billing and accounts and orders supplies.
She also keeps track of the dental
hygienists.
Cindy's job also involves educating patients about
oral health. This can be demanding because the field changes
all the time. To keep her skills fresh, she's involved
with a local professional association. She networks and
learns at the same time.
Cindy
Watts
