The work of dental assistants is challenging, rewarding, and integral to a strong and safe oral health system.
Chances are you spent most of your last visit to the dentist with a dental assistant. They’re the people who work chairside with the dentist and are responsible for many of the health and safety issues related to dentistry, including the sterilization of equipment and patient education related to oral health. “Dentistry is a four-handed practice,” explains Leslie Ann Wirth, Executive Director of the Canadian Dental Assistants Association (CDAA). “Dental assistants are the second set of hands.” Over its 80-year history, the CDAA has continuously advocated for a strong, safe oral health system for its membership and for every Canadian.
Chairside and frontline
Dental assisting can be a rewarding career. There’s room for flexibility and variety. Building patient relationships is fulfilling and education programs are relatively short. However, up to a quarter of working dental assistants are planning to leave the profession within the next five years for reasons other than retirement. A CDAA survey in 2021 revealed a shocking statistic: 50 per cent of Canadian dental assistants had suffered verbal or physical assault by their employer. Coupled with low pay, this is contributing to barriers to dental assistant retention. This research highlighted the need for continued cooperation between the CDAA and the Canadian Dental Association to create and maintain safe working environments, helping to retain dental assistants and attract people to this caring profession.
The new Canadian Dental Care Plan means that nine million Canadians previously without dental benefits will now have coverage. The CDAA is encouraged by the program, “because it supports our vision for a safe and strong oral health care system for all Canadians,” says Wirth, “not just for Canadians who have the resources to pay for dental care.” The CDAA recognizes that the plan will mean an increased need for practitioners working more hours — a challenge it’s working to meet.
Encouraging safe and supportive work environments is one aspect of the CDAA’s work, as is advocating for nationwide standards for training, testing, and certification, as well as ensuring dental assistants are educated about their rights and responsibilities in contributing to a healthy workplace.
At your next dental appointment, why not start a conversation? The public can be a powerful advocate for dental assistants. Wirth encourages people to ask about the training your dental assistants have and what kind of continuing education they receive. To learn more about the CDAA, visit cdaa.ca.
