Volunteer Dental Implant Assistant

Dental implants are for cases in which people’s teeth have undergone some trauma or decay that has caused their teeth to deteriorate, and thus need replacing. This is not necessarily a speciality, but typically involves the aid of different areas of dentistry to complete the treatment. If you want to enter the profession of dentistry implants then it is best if you acquire relative work experience with an agency. This can be done with a local dental implant group, or you can try visiting your local hospital to gain an insight into dental medical procedures. Voluntary work experience, often unpaid, is a great way to learn the techniques involved in dental implants, but can also give you an insight as to whether this is the career for you.

Duties include

Duties would typically involve the following:

• Ensuring a high level of customer care is given.
• Working with a variety of dental utensils.
• Working with patients from a variety of backgrounds and age groups.
• Analysing any referral material you are given about the patient.
• Making sure you are knowledgeable of the latest advances in dental implants.
• Working with nurses and dentists to ensure the process is a success.
• Your ‘speciality’ in the implant process may require you to place the dental implant, place the crown upon the implant or carry out surgery.
• Ensuring patients understand the process involved with dental implants, and are happy to go ahead.
• Dealing with teeth decay and trauma cases.

Skills and education required

The process of dental implantation typically involves a whole team of specialities, including your general dentist and surgeons. Therefore, it is difficult to narrow down which route you should take if you want to specialise in this method of dentistry. The best course of action is to work toward a dentistry degree, and to try and branch off into implant work as you go by. You will need a good standard of GCSE and A Level results, or other accepted qualifications, to do a degree. There will be a level of practicality to your degree, which is a good way to gain an insight into whether you do wish to branch off into dental implantation.

Skills required include excellent scientific skills, quick thinking, good patient skills, good eye coordination and attention to detail. A degree is usually not enough if you want to advance in dentistry, which is why it is best to gain some voluntary work experience as soon as possible. You can contact local dental implant agencies or organise a visit to your local hospital. Such experience would demonstrate that you do have a desire to enter the profession, but can also give you an idea as to whether you would like to move into this career. Websites of interest include the British Dental Journal – Jobs and NHS Careers