Celebrating Dental Assistants At Benevis

Why Dental Assistant Work is Important

Dental assistants often act as the liaison between a dentist and a patient. They provide valuable support to the dentist and their practice.

These Healthcare Professionals assist the dentist by setting up instrument trays, preparing materials and assisting with dental procedures, but they also support the patient.  Keeping patients safe, the Dental Assistant manages the sterilization and disinfecting of instruments that are used during care and treatment. Duties vary depending on the type of practice where they work. For example, if there is a shortage of dental hygienists, a dental assistant might step in to conduct some of a hygienist’s tasks.

Why Dental Assistants Choose Benevis

When asked, many of our incredible Dental Assistants shared that with Benevis and their local Apple Office, they are improving the health of their community. Providing an excellent experience is important so people return for care.

We are grateful for the 645 Dental Assists who choose to be on the Benevis team. Nearly 100 of those Dental Assistants have been with us for over 10 years. Our assistants provide patient access and excellent care for over 500,000 children plus 120,000 adults each year.

How to Become a Dental Assistant

There is a high demand for Dental Assistants, as these people play an important role on the dental provider team. Most Dental Assistants have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some employers may require a certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), but this is not required in some states. In some states, dental assistants can practice without a degree, unlike a dental hygienist, making it an appealing job for those that want to work in the dental field without years of schooling. But even if you live in one of these states, you may want to complete a program anyway. Doing so can give you a significant advantage over the competition when trying to secure a job.

To become a dental assistant, you should complete an accredited dental assisting program, approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Alternatively, you can ensure that the state you want to practice in does not require schooling and instead you can focus on ensuring your resume highlights what makes you a good candidate for the job. To learn more, please check out How to Become a Dental Assistant.