A dental assistant supports dentists by preparing patients, sterilizing equipment, and assisting during procedures. Their duties include administrative tasks like scheduling appointments and managing patient records, as well as clinical tasks like taking X-rays and providing post-operative and oral hygiene instructions.
Guiding patients in proper dental hygiene
Removing sutures
Keeping records of dental treatments
Processing X-rays and performing lab tasks under the direction of a dentist
Sterilizing dental equipment
Working with patients to make them comfortable in the dental chair and prepare them for procedures and treatments
Assisting dentists by providing them with equipment during procedures
Preparing the work area for patient's treatment by arranging equipment and materials
Some dental assistants might be qualified to apply topical anesthetic, temporarily numbing areas of the mouth before procedures
Spraying sealant applications over the teeth to prevent the development of cavities
Applying coronal polishing to eliminate soft deposits such as plaque, giving teeth a tidy look
Applying fluoride straight onto the teeth to prevent cavity development