Delmar's Dental Assisting Books Help One Prep For A Challenging Career

Like nursing, dental assisting is a challenging yet rewarding career for anyone who enjoys meeting and helping many new people in a very busy medical office setting. Requirements to do this work include both hands-on skills and extensive technical knowledge. To prove her level of knowledge and skill and become a certified dental assistant, one must pass the Dental Assisting National Board exam.

The Delmar's Dental Assisting books serve as useful complements to any dental assisting course or as study guides in preparation for the DANB exam. One such Dental Assisting book, subtitled A Comprehensive Approach, is so popular that it is currently in its second edition. It contains all the tools one needs to learn the fundamentals of dental assisting.

Delmar's Dental Assisting: A Comprehensive Approach is complete with both full-color pictures and tables that are ideal for the visual learner and thorough, written explanations. It also includes a CD-ROM about dental assisting skills and procedures, plus practice software. For an additional cost, one can also purchase an accompanying workbook.

There also is a Delmar's Dental Assisting Exam Review book. It is a bit like Barron's SAT study guide, but for the DANB. Similarities include basic information outlined within the text and sample multiple choice questions, as well as a full practice exam.

Delmar's Dental Assisting Exam Review includes all the fundamentals of dental assisting, from anatomy and charting to materials and lab procedures. Of particular importance is the information on x-rays, or more technically speaking, radiology. There is even information on infection, restoration, and surgery.

The personal fulfillment of helping others is not the only reward one will receive as a certified dental assistant. Pay will usually range from about $10 per hour to upwards of $20 per hour, depending on one's level of skill and experience. One career advancement move to consider is to become an Expanded Function or Expanded Duty Dental Assistant.

An Expanded Function Dental Assistant does more than just maintain equipment and supplies, prepare patients, and take x-rays. She may also be asked to perform hands-on procedures with patients such as fluoride treatment and even debridement and curettage, which remove excess plaque or tartar and inflamed, diseased, or dead tissue, respectively. An Expanded Duty Dental Assistant may even perform actual restorative procedures under the dentist's supervision.

Becoming a dental assistant offers many rewards, including the opportunity to acquire extensive skills for advancement. Reading Delmar's series of dental assisting books is one step forward in preparing for this challenging career.