Dental assistants, there is no greater feeling than being done with the exams. You start to think about all the possibilities that come with your career-taking care of people and earning a steady income to sustain yourself.
Quick question; do you have a full understanding of what your job entails? Of course, we know you know your job description. But are you aware you will be spending a better part of the day on your feet? Check this:
- Sterilizing dental equipment-standing
- Preparing materials- standing and walking around
- Setting up instruments-standing and walking
- Assisting during a dental procedure-standing and walking around
We could go on and on but we bet you now understand why it’s important to invest in the best shoes for dental assistants.
Whether you work in a small or huge hospital, at the end of the day, those small movements total up to so many miles. And this leads to foot aches which, if not addressed, could result in curtailed productivity.
But you are in luck. This article carefully reviews some of the good shoes for a dental assistant that you can resort to for relief. These collections are not only top-rated, but other nurses and dental care assistants have enjoyed their company as well. Tag along to the end for some insightful revelations.
In case you are in a hurry, check out our most recommended shoe: Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk Slip-On Walking Shoe. Millions of buyers immensely cherish this shoe as an all-round comfortable kick for work and play.
For men, there is a cool yet practical option from Merrel at the bottom of this list. Glide on.
Best Shoes For Dental Assistants
1. Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk Slip-On Walking Shoe
Without baggage, you can go so far. You can explore every opportunity life throws towards you. The one kick that gives you a taste of that freedom is Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk.
This shoe is such feather-light thanks to the absence of many bulky techs. There are only three materials; a soft top fabric, an ortholite insole, and an ultra-responsive synthetic outsole.
The top is merely a meshed fabric with complete air circulation. The included ortholite will deal with odor management as the outsole provides flexibility and reliable traction. In case you didn’t know, a proprietary tech called Resalyte is responsible for the barefoot cushioning in this slip-on.
Here is the juiciest part; you can spend whatever you want on this shoe, whether it is $40 or even $100. Obviously, the more you spend, the better the quality.
Dominant features:
- Synthetic outsole
- Synthetic and fabric top
- Resalyte cushioning
- Ortholite insole
- Slip-on design
PROS:
- Very lightweight to offer a barefoot experience
- Comfortable with proper foot support
- Fully breathable
- Rebuff odor growth
- Pocket-friendly pricing
CONS:
- Nothing significant
Skechers Performance Women’s Go Walk is for those who want to enjoy the natural walking experience. So lightweight is this kick that it gives you a barefoot experience. There are no hassles involved. Just slip in and be on your way.
2. Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity
Are you a stylish dental assistant with a deep affection for trendy fashion? If so, then you would love Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity Medical Professional Shoe. This isn’t some generic kick from the streets-no. It’s designed for medical practitioners and therefore hits the nail right on the head in meeting your needs.
Let’s dive deeper to see what the shoe offers.
Looks Wise, it takes on a minimalist design with leather topping for longevity. From the pictures, the grey, white sparkler, and black swirl may not show its leather appeal. Only the black one does. This is why we advocate for those colors in case you don’t want the black one-it can make you look like a student or too formal.
Mates Women’s Velocity has a lightweight EVA bottom, a thick midsole, and a corrective orthotic insole to meet the strain involved in your daily ups and downs. Normal shoes don’t come with all that. So believe it when we tell you this shoe goes a whole yard in improving comfort.
Its dopeness doesn’t end there. This shoe is extremely lightweight, breathable with adjustable stretch laces for achieving a tight, yet soft hug. To spread the cherry on top, you might not even spend anything near $100.
Dominant features:
- Leather top
- Adjustable stretch laces
- EVA bottom
- Rubber sole
- Composite shank
- Included corrective orthotic
- Multiple color choices
PROS:
- Specifically fashioned to meet the exact comfort needs of medics
- Affordable price point
- Arch supportive orthotics
- Stain-resistant which makes cleaning a breeze
- Slip-resistant
CONS:
- Nothing consequential
If you want a shoe that strictly addresses the needs of medics and is not generic in purpose, try Nurse Mates Women’s Velocity Medical Professional Shoe. It has a nice design, weighs less, and definitely won’t squeeze a lot out of your savings account.
3. Dansko Work Wonders Womens Coral Shoes
The hassle of putting shoes on and off can be truly annoying, especially if you are always out of time. The one shoe that can give you peace is none other than Dansko Work Wonders Women’s Coral Shoes.
There is a reviewer that described them as fantastic nursing shoes, and we couldn’t agree more. This shoe perfectly combines comfort and casual looks in a fantastic way.
As a slip-on with dual gores, it’s very easy to wear or remove them at any time. This is a cool feature for those with tender feet as they get a chance to remove shoes and slip back in as quickly as possible.
From an aesthetic point of view, Dansko Coral Shoes have a fashionable flair. They feature a stain-free and easy-to-clean leather top. Inside lie a removable foam footbed and an EVA midsole that takes care of impact absorption. This shoe is so flexible and rebounds, giving energy back to the feet. Such a design makes it possible to walk for without overtaxing your energy supply.
In the case of sweaty feet, the breathable gore panels will allow for air exchange. The moisture-wicking lining backs the gore panels with a microbe shield that prevents odor build-up. Hospitals are smoothly paved, and this medic-approved shoe pops along with a slip-resistant outsole.
Dominant features:
- Leather top
- Rubber sole
- Gore panels
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Removable PU footbed
- Microbe shielding lining
PROS:
- A versatile design for any event
- Impressive impact absorption
- Durable and lightweight
- Can accommodate many custom and standard orthotics
- Easy on and off
CONS:
- Narrow design
- Cushioning might breakdown after several months (although this is a standard case for many extra-plushy shoes)
Dansko Work Wonders Women’s Coral is one of the most reliable dental assistant shoes. A boatload of nurses resort to it because it is lightweight, flexible, and traction-enabled. Don’t worry about spending on it-If anything, it has so many heart-positive reviews.
4. Propet Women’s W3851 Wash & Wear Slip-On
Despite the high-level comfort you get from medical-approved shoes, there one problem-everyone will have them. That makes standing out quite impossible. The one way you can stay trendy without trading off comfort is through Propet Women’s W3851 Wash & Wear Slip-On.
Propet is a brand that majorly specializes in shoes for those with tender feet. That is why this one sports comfort and support-enhancing features include a lightweight EVA midsole, orthotic cushion, and the internal heel counter. The latter also plays a significant role in stabilizing the feet and locking them to the midsole.
Even though Propet Women’s W3851 Slip-On feather leather top, it doesn’t scratch or rub the feet. The opening is quilted for a soothing and breathable experience. The design of the footbed curves inwards to offer sufficient arch support and even more stability.
Dominant features:
- 100% leather/suede
- Lightweight EVA midsole
- Synthetic sole
- Removable orthotic cushion
- Internal heel counter
- Padded stretch collar
PROS:
- One of the most durable collections
- A smashing design
- Optimally breathable
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Sufficient arch support
- Multiple color choices to pick from
CONS:
- The insoles it comes with are of weak quality
Propet Women’s W3851 Slip-On is a classic collection for women who want both comfort and style. The shoe offers better traction, stability, and support. This is a wash and wears model that conveniently gets you geared for work right away.
5. Merrell Men’s Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe
The one shoe that can complete and complement almost all your wardrobe ensemble is Merrell Men’s Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe. It’s hands down stylish with multiple colors available to meet your needs.
Besides the amazing suede top, this shoe packs a heavy amount of cushioning from the EVA footbed to extra-padded heel. The contouring of the footbed helps to improve comfort by following the shape of your feet. If you are one of those people with feet that are not ordinary, this shoe might surprise you.
The true signature of Merrell Men’s Jungle Moc Slip-On Shoe is the minimalistic design. No laces, no stripes, no flashy, and attention-grabbing details. This not only allows it to fully let your style pop out but makes them lightweight too. And if the ground gets moist or the floors are smoothly tiled, the non-slip sole takes care of you.
On top of all that, this Moc is a low maintenance shoe and easy to slip in. it runs true to size so no need to order in a bigger or smaller sizing.
Dominant features:
- Suede/leather topping
- Rubber sole
- EVA cushioning foot frame
- Merrell heel cushioning
- Multiple color choices
- Heel pull tab
PROS:
- True to size
- Designed to offer proper foot support
- Versatile and stylish
- Easy on and off
- Massively cushioned
- Completely breathable
CONS:
- There is so much shown for this shoe. It has no serious flaws
Merrell Men’s Jungle Moc is quite an extremely versatile shoe. Not only can it match with your attire collection but it’s good for both work and play. The looks, comfort, and durability-it’s got them all.
What to consider when you choose a shoe for dental assistant – Buying Guide
Being a dental assistant comes with many responsibilities, as you have to perform some assisting tasks at the hospital. Although you are an assistant, you wouldn’t be skipping any routine, as you work with the senior dentists. Thus, you would stand for long hours working in such conditions. It would be very beneficial to care for your feet, providing all the required comfort.
The long walks you take down the hospital corridor can make your feet get fatigued. Also, with tight shoes, your feet can get sore and swell, leading to severe pain. With this, you can become less effective and perform poorly at work. However, with the perfect shoes, your feet can walk briskly without any issues.
Picking the Right Footwear
Since there are various shoe options available for dental assistants, making the best choice can be quite challenging. Thus, we’ve provided you with this buying guide to help you make a better choice. Do take a look at these factors to help you pick the right shoes for dental assistants.
The Size
The shoe size is one crucial factor to consider in getting the perfect shoes for dental assistants. For enough comfort during work, your shoe must fit right, making you walk flexibly. Picking a shoe that doesn’t fit would keep your feet fatigued and sore at the end of the day’s job. Thus, it would help if you chose the right-sized shoe, taking note of your feet’ length and width.
Support Features for the Arch
Since your job requires that you stand for most of the time and walk about to attend to patients, your feet are bound to face some severe pain. This pain becomes intense if you wear the wrong pair of shoes that do not support your arch. Going through your job without this pain would help if you get footwear that supports the arch, releasing pressure on the foot.
Breathability
Wearing a wet shoe can cause some level of discomfort, and standing for a long can cause your feet to sweat a lot. This moisture can cause some irritations on your feet; thus, there is a need for sufficient ventilation. Try to get footwear with high breathability to ensure your feet stay dry all day long.
Durable and Slip-resistant
What is the need of getting shoes that wouldn’t last long? Undoubtedly, your shoes should be able to serve you for a long while. Thus it would help if you got shoes for dental assistants that are durable. Also, since you walk through slippery surfaces, get non-slip shoes that would provide enough traction.
Comfort
To ensure your feet get the right comfort, get shoes with enough cushion that would take you through the long day’s job. You can find the best shoes for dental assistants with fully padded insoles that make walking, standing, and running more comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
a) What kind of shoes do dental assistants wear?
There is a lot of standing and walking involved in the dental profession. That is why most dental assistants and their seniors prefer comfortable shoes with a minimalistic design.
Those shoes usually include lightweight construction, massive cushioning, and arch support. Some do prefer slip-ons as they are easy to wear or remove. Notwithstanding, doctors value their looks which is why a little bit of good designing is appreciated.
b) What are the most recommended shoe brands for dentists?
Dentists mostly go with comfort and lightweight. The companies that meet those expectations all the time are Dansko, Propet, Skechers, New Balance, Nurse Mates, Merrel, and clogs.
c) Are crocs ideal for hospital use?
Believe it or not, crocs are becoming a go-to for people with extremely painful feet. They might not meet your idea of fashion but their comfort is almost unmatched. Furthermore, they are slip-on which means you don’t need to have them on throughout the day like is the case for other shoes.
Wrapping it up
Working as a dental care assistant is rewarding, but like every other profession, there are some hazards involved. You will experience back pain, muscle pains, and foot pains. The good news is, most of these problems can be solved by investing in ergonomic gears.
Please take advantage of this list as it features some of the best shoes for dental assistants. Looking through our website, you can tell we are all about shoes, so yeah, this is our forte, and we go to more astounding miles while searching for worthwhile recommendations.
All the reviews in this article will take care of your comfort, arch support, stability, and traction (for those working on smoothly paved floors. Take charge of your life and invest in a shoe that cares for you well enough to be a great caregiver in return.
The journey to having a great shoe doesn’t end when your favorite pair arrives. Make sure to invest in some insoles, socks, and anything that ensures that your attention is on the patient and the doctor, not your aching feet.
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