What Do Dental Assistants Do?

Virtually anyone who has ever walked into a dentist’s office has encountered a dental assistant. This professional should not be confused with that of a dental hygienist. Hygienists usually undergo more extensive training and are able to employ their expertise at a higher level. Dental assistants, however, are trained to assist dentists in a number of administrative and treatment scenarios. In general, dental assistants work in the front office and behind the scenes and assist the dentist with procedures, rather than directly treating patients.

In some states, dental assistants can get by with on the job training, but more and more states are instituting licensing or certification for these positions. This requires that individuals attend dental assistant school and meet other licensing requirements. It is important that anyone considering this career familiarize themselves with the requirements of their state.

Common tasks that are handled by dental assistants include administrative jobs such as setting appointments, handling insurance forms, patient billing and maintaining patient charts. Behind the scenes they may be called upon to expose and process x-rays , sterilize equipment and prepare instrument trays. They may be responsible for preparing patients for exams, including taking blood pressure and conducting oral inspections. They are also expected to be able to assist the dentist directly by handing off instruments or holding suction devices during procedures. They may also take impressions or even fabricate provisional crowns.

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