If you want to be a dental assistant, it is important to realize you will not learn every important skill in the classroom; sometimes, it will simply come down to common sense. Since dental assisting is the fourth fastest-growing healthcare careers in the industry, you will want to be sure you’re prepared for this promising career. Here are some key attributes that, when paired with your online healthcare education, will make you invaluable in your workplace.

Positive Attitude
Possessing a positive attitude is essential in the dental industry, as many patients will come into the office feeling anxious. As a dental assistant, it is crucial to have a smile on your face to help set the patients at ease. Your attitude has the power to impact the patients, the dental team, and yourself. Give everyone a reason to flash their pearly whites!

Time Management
Dental environments are often fast-paced, with a variety of patients coming in with different needs. Individuals walking in the door of the dentist’s office may be arriving for a simple routine cleaning, an oral surgery, a billing question, or many other scenarios. It is important for dental assistants to have a strong concept of time management, as they will be directly interacting with all these needs. Dental assistants need to help keep the office running as efficiently as possible in the midst of a busy office environment.

Workplace Relationships
Dental assisting is very relational, as there is communication with the patients, dentist, and other team members. It is essential for dental assistants to have respectful and positive workplace relationships with all members of the dental team, as the quality of customer service is always negatively impacted by strained relationships.

Healthcare careers have the ability to be deeply satisfying and long-lasting. If the above components are traits that you possess or are willing to strive for, dental assisting may be the right healthcare career for you.