Job Overview

​Find out more about being a dental assistant.

Job Overview Transcript

 

Dental assistants are a vital part of any dental team. By performing the routine but essential tasks around a dentist’s office, they free up dentists and dental hygienists to see more patients and perform complex procedures.

Dental assistants work in dentists’ offices under the supervision of dentists or dental hygienists to perform these duties. Dental assistants are often the patient’s first point of contact during an appointment, settling the patient into the chair and making sure he or she is comfortable and prepared for the procedure. Dental assistants instruct patients in proper dental care and take care of any questions they might have. Taking and processing X-rays and performing other lab tasks also fall under the purview of a dental assistant. Before a procedure, dental assistants prepare the area by sterilizing equipment and laying out the correct instruments; once a procedure is underway, dental assistants may be on hand to pass dentists tools and keep patients’ mouths dry. Dental assistants may also take care of routine office duties such as scheduling appointments, generating statements, and keeping records.

Even though almost all dental assistants work in a dentist’s office, there is wide variation in work environments: you might be the only assistant at a small solo practice, or one of several assistants at a group practice, or anything in between. Some dental assistants may work in hospitals, schools, or clinics instead.

There is room for growth within this profession: with additional education, dental assistants can choose to specialize in orthodontics, oral surgery, pediatric dentistry, or other specific areas. The dental assistant career path can also lead to a position as a dental hygienist or supervisor in a dental office, or to dental-related work in education, insurance, or sales.

Good dental assistants will possess certain key skills. They must have strong people skills and be able to interact with patients who may be stressed, anxious, or in pain. Good listening skills are required to be able to understand a patient’s needs and to follow a dentist’s instructions. The smooth running of a dental office is often dependent on a dental assistant’s excellent organization skills. Fine motor control is necessary to perform the various tasks, and attention to detail is essential in every aspect of a dental assistant’s work.

If you think a career as a dental assistant might be for you, check out the links on the sidebar to continue the orientation.