What Dental Assistants do:

Dental Assistants

The Dental Assistant professional is a key member of the dental health care team. If you have good communication skills, enjoy working with your hands and your mind and want the responsibility and rewards of a professional career, dental assisting is for you. The best way to become a dental assistant is to receive formal training. Our program provides education that is based on the latest procedures and techniques.

• Work chair-side as the dentists examine and treat patients;
• Hand instruments and materials to dentists, keep patients' mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices;
• Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare tray setups for dental procedures;
• Prepare materials for making impressions and restorations;
• Expose radiographs and process dental x-ray film as directed by a dentist;
• Comfort patients in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, obtain dental records;
• Instruct patients on postoperative and general health care;
• Perform office duties including scheduling, insurance coding and billing, telephone.

Working Conditions

• Dental assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment.
• Their work area is usually near the dental chair where they can work with the dentist and patient when needed.
• Virtually all dental assistants work in a private dental office.
• A small number work in dental schools, hospitals, public health departments, or clinics.
  

 

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