Dental assistants need to have many skills. Our Dental Assisting program will prepare anyone for success in the field of dental assisting, but some people may be more uniquely prepared than others. One thing that we help prepare you for is the chairside manner.

What is a chairside manner? Chairside manners are the art of communicating and understanding patients’ needs and wants when seeking their best smile. This skill is valuable for the relationship between patient and staff, who trust us and rely on us for their oral health needs. So, what does chairside manner entail?

First, greet them without a mask, gloves, or chart in your hand. Be open and welcoming, friendly and enthusiastic, and acutely aware of your patient’s concerns. You can keep in mind that you have two ears and one mouth, so you’ll want to listen twice as much. Make sure your smile and persona are welcoming. You may be tired, hungry, or in a hurry, but you want to give a patient your full attention and care, making them feel like the number one priority.

Next, you’ll want to create a bond. You’ll do this through effective communication. You will learn to engage with your patient using eye contact. This means looking at them in the eye instead of just focusing on the mouth. You want to make sure you address the person as a whole, not just as a mouth, when you are with your patient.

Then, you’ll want to listen to and internalize the patient’s feelings to help them better. This means developing your listening skills so you can truly understand what the patient is telling you, both verbally and nonverbally. Being sensitive to their tone and the spoken word will help, and let’s face it, most people want to feel heard. Is the patient nervous? Asking questions is a great way to get them to open up regarding their condition and their treatment for today.

And finally, you will need to build trust and leave them with a positive experience. We want them to trust us in our doctor/patient relationship and build loyal, long-term relationships. We want our patients to return to us for treatment, over and over again. That is successful relationship building. So, while they are in the chair, be sure to give them a reassuring pat on the arm or shoulder, letting them know you are there for them. People reclining in the chair can often feel vulnerable, and a simple touch can help them relax. You want your patient to have the most comfortable, pleasant, and painless experience, so they will want to come back again.

If you feel like you have the skills to bond with patients, you will most likely have excellent chairside manners. We here at Sanger Education Dental Assisting School can teach you all the skills you will need to be a great dental assistant. Enroll in one of our upcoming class programs today!

First, you gain a unique superpower. One of the key things a dental assistant does is help a patient feel comfortable during their visit. This requires excellent interpersonal skills, as well as care in making sure the dental chair is comfortable. Throughout the stay, the dental assistant can show care to ensure the patient doesn’t experience any pain or discomfort. But this can get tricky sometimes. While patients are in the dental chair, they occasionally cannot talk because a procedure is underway. Luckily, dental assistants seem to have an unbelievable power for perceiving and hearing what patients need – even when they are trying to talk with their mouths wide open and fingers and tools inside.

Behind the scenes, dental assistants are busy with several other tasks. Often, dental assistants will sterilize dental instruments and prepare the proper tools for each procedure. This means even walking – sometimes running – all over the office. This means being a dental assistant is the ultimate exercise routine! You could get 10,000 + steps in a single day. This will majorly save you on a gym membership.

You will soon find yourself bringing your job into your everyday life. You will catch yourself looking at everyone’s teeth. You won’t be able to help it! It doesn’t even have to be an actual person in front of you. You will notice people on tv – actors or actresses.

On top of that, you will always wish you had some of those dental tools at home. And, on top of that, you will use dental terminology in everyday conversations. You won’t be able to help yourself. 

Dental Assisting is a fun and rewarding career. It can also be funny! It is crazy how your work life will flow into your everyday life. But, when you think about it, it’s pretty amusing. If you are looking to become a dental assistant, then look no further. Sanger Education is a top-rated dental assisting program in Waco. Contact us today to see the upcoming course schedule.