CHECK REFERENCES!!!

Nevada law does not provide for or require any particular educational threshold, licensing or registration for dental assistants, other than certifications by the employing dentist as to radiological procedures, infection control and CPR training.  These certifications are not, however, available for review or evaluation.  It is entirely up to the employer to evaluate the capabilities of a dental assistant.  As part of that evaluation, a diligent inquiry into educational background and work history is vital.  Recent incidents in both northern and southern Nevada highlight the need to be certain as to the integrity of your dental assistants. 

This PRACTICE POINTER is intended to stress the need to check references.  A gap in work history should not always be taken at face value and should be further investigated.   For example, a dental assistant could have been terminated for cause but chooses to provide another reason for such work history gap.   Reaching out to your fellow practitioners can be a useful resource. While practitioners are well advised to be very cautious in giving negative reviews, opting for a "no comment" type of response, knowledge of facts such as work history and educational background, without more, can typically be communicated without such concern.