Dental Assistants

What Does a Dental Assistants Do?

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
• 2Record treatment information in patient records.
• 3Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
• 4Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
• 5Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
• 6Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
• 7Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
• 8Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.

Required Skills

• Active Listening
• Email software
• Henry Schein Dentrix
• Kodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMS
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Open Dental
• Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft
• Quicken
• The Systems Workplace TDOCS
• Web browser software

Dental Assistants Salary