Dental Assistants
Health Science > Therapeutic ServicesProjected Growth: Much faster than average
Projected Job Openings
Medium Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.
Common job titles of Dental Assistants include:
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Experience and Education
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
62.54% said they needed a Post-Secondary Certificate.
11.99% said they needed a Associate's Degree.
Tasks
Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
Fabricate temporary restorations or custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
Clean teeth, using dental instruments.
Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
Record treatment information in patient records.
Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
Clean and polish removable appliances.
Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services, complete insurance forms, and maintain records, manually or using computer.
Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
Fabricate and fit orthodontic appliances and materials for patients, such as retainers, wires, or bands.
Tools
X ray machine cones
Vacuum formers
Universal curettes
Ultrasonic sterilization units
Torqueing pliers
Tongue forceps
Thyroid collars
All ToolsThermal disinfectors
Straight utility pliers
Sterilizers
Steam sterilizers
Steam cleaning equipment
Splinter forceps
Slow-speed dental handpieces
Single-ended periodontal probes
Saliva ejectors
Rubber dams
Rubber dam punches
Rubber dam clamp forceps
Rotary handpieces
Root elevators
Radiation dosimeters
Pulse oximeters
Pulp testers
Protective shielding equipment
Prophylaxis angles
Power vacuum mixers
Posterior matrices
Personal computers
Panoramic x ray equipment
Oxygen tanks
Orthodontic separators
Orthodontic pliers
Orthodontic brackets
Orthodontic band slitters
Orthodontic band pushers
Offset utility pliers
Needles
Needle holders
Molar clamps
Model trimmers
Matrix bands
Manual blood pressure cuffs
Light curing units
Lead aprons
Intraoral x ray equipment
Intraoral detailing pliers
Instrument sharpening devices
Impression trays
High-velocity evacuators
High-speed handpieces
High-intensity lights
Hemostatic forceps
Headgear
Gracey curettes
Gingival retraction cords
Filling instruments
Extracting forceps
Evacuator systems
Electrosurgery units
Electronic calculus detectors
Electronic blood pressure devices
Electric surgical handpieces
Electric general dentistry handpieces
Electric endodontic handpieces
Double-ended probes
Denture, acrylic and porcelain polishing kits
Denture model presses
Dental x ray machines
Dental x ray film processors
Dental wedges
Dental tweezers
Dental spatulas
Dental scalers
Dental retainers
Dental pliers
Dental laser systems
Dental handpieces
Dental furniture units
Dental explorers
Dental cutting instruments
Dental crimping pliers
Dental chairs
Crown scissors
Cotton forceps
Contouring orthodontic pliers
Computerized pressure/vacuum casting systems
Collar scissors
Chemiclaves
Cartridge syringes
Caries detection aids
Burs
Bitewing film holders
Bite blocks
Bench lathes
Band seating pliers
Autoclaves
Aspirating syringes
Articulators
Apex locators
Amalgamators
Amalgam carriers
Air/water syringes
Air compressors
Air abrasion units
Technologies
Henry Schein Dentrix
Intuit Quicken
Kodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMS
Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft
The Systems Workplace TDOCS
Skills
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Abilities
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Comprehension