What Do Dental Assistants Do?

The duties of a dental assistant are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental office. The dental assistant performs many tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills. Although state regulations vary, some specific tasks dental assistant may perform include:

• Assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures;
• Taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays);
• Asking about the patient?s medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse;
• Serving as an infection control officer, developing infection control protocol and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment;
• Helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment;
• Providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling);
• Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health; (e.g., toothbrushing, flossing and nutritional counseling);
• Performing office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer;
• Communicating with patients and suppliers (e.g., scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, billing and ordering supplies); and
• Assisting with and helping to provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and oral surgery.