Archive for the ‘ Uncategorized ’ Category

Two for-profit national home care franchises are leading thе fight аgainѕt thе proposed rule tо give home care workers minimum wage and overtime pay protections. They trу tо cover uр thеir self-interest wіth lofty claims, but, aѕ yesterday's USA Today points out, they're rеallу just protecting thеіr healthy profit margins. Home Instead Senior Care spent at leаst $362,000 lаst year tо trу tо stop thе rule from beіng enacted. Meanwhile, home care workers average lеѕs thаn $10 аn hour. About а third of theѕe hard-working Americans сannot afford health insurance, аnd nearlу half rely оn food stamps or оthеr forms of public assistance to make ends meet. Home Instead and its allies arе trying tо flood thе Department оf Labor wіth comments opposing the rule. Let's show them there arе sоme things money сan't buy. If уоu hаvеn't alrеady voiced yоur support fоr home care workers, submit yоur comment today. Tell DOL home care workers must have minimum wage wage аnd overtime pay.

Tags: , , , ,

A dental assistant has many duties that they are responsible for performing in the dentist’s office. Their responsibilities include everything from caring for patients to taking care of daily office duties. They sometimes even work in the laboratory assisting the dentist. Most people confuse them with a dental hygienist however they are two completely different jobs. Dental hygienists are licensed and able to perform many procedures independently while assistants must work with patients only under the close supervision of the dentist.

Most of the duties of a dental professional can be learned through on the job training, however in some instances there are training programs available at community colleges or trade schools. Specific requirements and licensing varies from state to state. Anyone interested in pursuing this career would benefit from taking courses in areas of science including biology, chemistry, and health. High school students can even work through co-op programs to start gaining training and experience as a dental assistant.

One interesting aspect of a career as a dental professional is that the daily duties are always changing. While some days you may spend most of the time updating patient records and booking appointments, the very next day you could spend all of your time working directly in the exam room. While dentists are performing procedures dental assistants work alongside them assisting in sterilizing and prepping equipment, handing them needed instruments, and instructing patients on proper oral healthcare practices. A dental assistant can work directly with patients helping them feel more at ease in the sometimes scary dentist’s chair. This is especially important for children who may be visiting the dentist for the very first time! Dental assistants can help reassure these apprehensive patients and reward them for being so brave with small toy of sticker.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,

The role of dental assistants in the field of health care often goes unnoticed. In actuality, they are one of the most vital and valuable members of the oral health care team. Working closely with dentists and dental hygienists, they ensure the delivery of quality oral health care services to patients. Individuals with good motor skills wanting to start a rewarding career related to health care should seriously consider dental assisting. This career option is also recommended for individuals who want to take part in improving the oral health condition of patients as dental assistants are significantly involved in patient education.

Generally, assistants work closely with dentists as they perform their duties in patient care. It is commonly known that dental assistants simply assist the dentist in a variety of treatment procedures but, in reality, the duties of a dental assistant go beyond this. They are responsible for completing specific tasks that require technical and clinical skills, adequate knowledge in oral care, and interpersonal skills. Dental assistants obtain and develop dental radiographs, prepare, sterilize, and disinfect instruments and equipment used during dental procedures, take teeth impressions for study casts, prepare materials for teeth restorations, apply topical anesthetics and cavity-preventing agents, and make temporary crowns. Trained and experienced dental assistants are permitted by some states to perform coronal polishing and restorative dentistry work. In addition, they have frequent direct patient interactions; thus, it is important that they enjoy working with different types of people. They record accurate medical histories, provide oral care instructions before and after dental treatments, and educate patients about good oral hygiene for maintaining oral health. The assistants are also tasked with performing some administrative duties such as scheduling and conforming dental appointments, keeping treatment records, sending bills, receiving payments, and ordering dental and office supplies. Indeed, the duties of dental assistants are among the most wide-ranging in the field of health care.

It used to be that assistants were not formally trained in the skills needed in this occupation. They only learned about the technical skills once they were hired to do the job. However, in recent years, there are an increasing number of dental assisting programs offered by community colleges, technical and vocational schools, and trade schools. This is possibly attributed to the increasing demand. And so, individuals who want to have an edge should enroll in dental assisting colleges or schools accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation to obtain formal training and education, which consists of didactic laboratory and clinical instruction that develops and enhances the skills of the students. Dental students also gain hands-on experience during on-the-job training at dental clinics and offices. Most certificate programs take about a year to complete. A two-year associate degree is also offered to students interested in gaining better opportunities and career advancement. Almost all dental assisting programs require a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: , , ,