What should be included in areas of accepted continuing education for dental assistants?

Continuing education for dental assistants is essential for maintaining and enhancing skills relevant to their roles in the dental field. In this context, training on emergency procedures, even if it excludes CPR, is a highly important area of accepted continuing education. This is because dental assistants must be prepared to respond to various emergencies that may arise in a clinical setting, such as allergic reactions, fainting, and other urgent situations that require immediate attention.

Training in these procedures ensures that dental assistants can effectively support the dental team and provide timely assistance to patients, thereby contributing to a safer environment. Emergency procedures training typically includes protocols to follow during different types of emergencies, helping assistants to act confidently and competently when needed.

Alternative options, while relevant in varying contexts within the dental practice, do not directly enhance the immediate clinical skills required for patient care and safety in the same way. For instance, office politics and employee management focus more on interpersonal relationships within the workplace rather than clinical competencies. Basic dental anatomy, while important, is often covered in the foundational education and may not represent the progressive learning necessary as procedures and techniques evolve.