Why is Listening Such an Important Skill for Dental Assistants?

a dental assistant taking copious notes as a dentist explains a patient’s x-rays

Not everyone is a good listener. Some are easily distracted while others simply prefer to talk instead of hearing what someone else has to say. While in school, it is likely that you will learn the importance of listening while taking a dental assisting course or two. This beneficial skill will not only make you more appealing to potential employers, but it will also enable you to perform at a higher level. Learn more about why listening is one of the most vital tools you’ll need to make it as a dental assistant.

The Importance of Being a Good Listener

As a dental assistant, you are expected to have a specific set of skills when it comes to working in a dentist’s office. Not only are you responsible for maintaining equipment, sterilizing instruments, and organization the treatment room, but you are also an ear for patients to talk to. This means you must also be a good listener.

The truth is, you are there to help ensure that the patient has a positive experience, so don’t be surprised if they lean on you to discuss a few things they might choose not to share with the dentist. While in dental assisting school, you may discover there are a few reasons why listening at this time is incredibly important:

  1. You will begin to establish a patient-practice relationship that builds trust and will ultimately lead to a patient being more comfortable with a suggested treatment or procedure.
  2. You will, in an essence, encourage the patient to keep coming back for continued treatment.
  3. You will have the opportunity to provide a solution to help the patient in their time of need.

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid to Ask “Why”

Some patients have difficulty discussing their dental problems due to embarrassment. Others may present themselves in a way that screams, “I don’t care about my oral health.” No matter what type of patient ends up in your chair, it’s always important to listen and ask questions, especially “Why?”

If the person you’re treating explains that they’ve had another form of treatment in the past out of convenience, you may be able to suggest an alternative solution that will prove more beneficial to their overall well-being in the long run. For example, if a patient had two teeth extracted and you asked why they were removed, you may learn it was because they opted to forgo good oral hygiene. If this is the case, you can begin to open a line of communication by suggesting another method of treatment (i.e. dental implants) and the many benefits they can provide throughout a person’s life.

Understanding and listening to the reasons or circumstances for a particular situation can give you the information you need to possibly change a patient’s life.

About Dental Assistant Pro
For more than 25 years, Dental Assistant Pro has been providing aspiring dental assistants with essential knowledge and hands-on skills learning. We offer a class-based instructional program that combines real-life experience in a dental office with lectures and time spent in operatory treatment rooms. To learn more about us, visit our website or call (513) 515-6611.

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Reviews From Our Students

Kenzie Clark
Kenzie Clark
13. August, 2022.
Great experience!!
kaitlyn mcgarvey
kaitlyn mcgarvey
13. August, 2022.
Quick easy way to get a dental assistant certificate. Quick way to get into the dental field. More job opportunities opened after I received the certificate. Also received radiology license from class. Instructor is easy-going & bubbly personality.
Kaitlyn Waits
Kaitlyn Waits
13. August, 2022.
Enjoyable, quick program to get into a dental office. I'm looking forward to starting my new career
Sydnee Burgess (Syd)
Sydnee Burgess (Syd)
13. August, 2022.
It was a great experience! I was very nervous about dental and wasn’t sure how much I’d like it but through this experience I feel a lot better about going into the field. Jeanie who is the instructor is also a very warm person and truly cares for each of her students and their growth in the field.
Abby Morehouse
Abby Morehouse
11. May, 2022.
Such an amazing program! Would recommend this to anyone looking for a career in dentistry.
Lilly Collins
Lilly Collins
7. May, 2022.
Had an amazing experience as a student in the Lebanon program! The instructors Abby and Jeanne are amazing and have taught me so much from skills to job search, i will be forever grateful for their help and this experience.
Kaitlyn
Kaitlyn
7. May, 2022.
Dental Assistant Pro is a wonderful program! The instructors, Jeanne and Abby, are very welcoming and do a great job at teaching their students. This program teaches you all of the basics and allows you to enter at an entry level dental assisting position at any Office. It was very convenient having classes only on the weekends and was so much fun!
Megan Sellman
Megan Sellman
7. May, 2022.
I went to Dental Assistant Pro from 7:30am-12pm, Jeanne and Abby made the program very fun and enjoyable! I learned a lot from this program and they made it easy to learn.
kiranpreet kaur
kiranpreet kaur
7. May, 2022.
I am only 18 and a Dental assistant now. I went to Dental Assistant Pro at Lebanon. It was a wonderful and thorough program. Jeane and Abby made it so easyyy to accomplish my goal. I learnt a lot in this program- X-rays, impression, diagnostic caste model and a lot of other things. Hands on training, awesome experience!!!!! Loved it 😊