Job purpose

Dental assistants greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of quality oral

health care and are valuable members of the dental care team.

Duties and responsibilities

Assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures

Taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)

Preparing examination and surgical rooms by sterilizing instruments and moving

equipment into place

Preventing the spread of infection and disease by maintaining a surgically clean work

environment

Helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment

Providing patients with instructions for oral care following treatment

Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health;

(e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling)

Taking impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth)

Create, send, and track lab cases

Monitor, order, and maintain budget for dental supplies

Performing office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer

Assisting in updating and maintaining client dental records/charts

Maintaining equipment and coordinating any necessary repairs

Asking about the patient's medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse as

needed

Providing support to dentists and other staff as needed

Maintaining OSHA and HIPPA compliance