Dental assistants play an integral role in dental care. Their daily duties and skills vary, but they often work directly with and support dentists and dental hygienists during procedures such as fillings. Some technical duties of a dental assistant may include:

• Taking and pouring impressions (molds of the patient’s mouth)
• Preparing patients for surgical procedures
• Operating dental equipment and patient monitoring systems
• Preparing the examination room
• Sterilizing equipment

Depending on their work setting, dental assistants may also:

• Polish the surfaces of teeth
• Apply sealants and fluoride
• Place topical anesthetics before procedures
• Take X-rays
• Obtain patients’ vital signs
• Educate patients on proper dental hygiene

Additionally, dental assistants are involved in maintaining and updating patient records. They may be asked to record measurements or scalings, as well as document any medical or dental changes reported by the patient.

Dental assistants also often handle administrative duties, such as scheduling appointments, submitting billing and insurance claims, ordering supplies and equipment for the dental office, and managing other office tasks, including computer-based work.

Much of what dental assistants do on a day-to-day basis involves assisting the dentist with a variety of procedures and interventions, such as fillings, tooth extractions, crowns, and root canals. Therefore, it is important for dental assistants to have a firm understanding of various dental procedures, the order in which they must be performed, and the equipment and dental instruments used.

An essential skill for dental assistants is the ability to work with diverse patient groups. Since the dental assistant is often the first person a patient encounters during their office visit, it is important for them to be friendly and caring. Other key qualities for dental assistants include being a good listener, as they play a vital role in helping patients share their questions and concerns with the dental team, and demonstrating compassion. Many patients arrive at their appointments feeling anxious or scared, so having a calming presence can help them feel more comfortable.

Being organized and detail-oriented is also an important quality for dental assistants. They need to be prepared for anything, as they may be asked to perform multiple tasks in a short amount of time. Strong organizational skills are essential to handling these duties efficiently.

Dental assistants can apply their skills in a variety of settings and roles. Some of the settings where a dental assistant may work include:

• Independent dental practices
• Hospital-based dental clinics
• Dental school clinics
• Correctional institutions
• Public-health clinics
• Specialty practices

The roles may include:

• Orthodontic assistant
• Oral surgery assistant
• Surgical dental assistant

Academic Requirements and Career Pathway

The academic requirements and regulations for dental assistants vary by state. In Washington State, dental assistants must be registered to practice. To be eligible for registration, an individual must complete 200 hours of employment by a Washington state-licensed dentist, as well as receive both theoretical and clinical training in the application of dental sealants and fluoride varnish treatments (Dental Assisting National Board, n.d.).

Working as a dental assistant can be very rewarding, especially when seeing improvements in patients’ oral health throughout their care. It is also important to consider the various career advancement opportunities available. Dental assistants can advance their career by becoming dental hygienists, dental lab technicians, dental office managers, or dental assisting instructors. These advancements may require additional education, training, and experience. The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is the nationally recognized certification organization for dental assistants.

Attributions

1. Figure 9.2: image released under the Pexels License