Find a Future of Smiles as a Dental Assistant

Date: July 1, 2022

A Dental Assistant is an invaluable member of any dental office. If putting a smile on others’ faces is something you do naturally, this may be a good career option. The vocation may be a fit if you enjoy working with people and like front-office and back-office responsibilities. 

A Dental Assistant, by definition, is a professional who “performs limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Their clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, readying patients for treatment, assisting the dentist, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. Many Dental Assistants perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.” ¹

Day-to-Day Duties

Out of the multiple tasks a Dental Assistant does, their number one duty is to assist patients. This involves gaining patient trust and helping dental guests stay calm throughout their visits. Dental Assistants should also possess soft skills, including instructing in oral hygiene tips and best practices for teeth, gum, and mouth care. 

An Assistant’s soft skills should support patients’ families, help dental teams stay on task, and allow dentists to concentrate on advanced procedures. According to O*NET’s Online Summary Report for Dental Assistants,¹ other duty include some of the following:

Back-office Tasks

• Prepare patients for examination procedures;

• Sterilizing equipment;

• Disinfect and prepare operative rooms; 

• Set up dental procedure trays; 

• Assist in medical or dental emergencies;

• Assist chairside with dental procedures, such as fillings, crowns, and tooth extractions;

• Take and process X-rays of patients;

• Taking and pouring dental impressions; 

• Management of dental supply inventory.¹

Front-office Tasks 

• Be a good listener and communicator;

• Record treatment information in patient records;

• Schedule and confirm patient appointments;

• Update and maintain clients’ dental record information;

• Perform office tasks, including computer-based work;

• Work with dental insurance and customer billing.¹

Applying is as easy as 1-2-3:

• Step 1: Meet with the admissions and financial aid teams.*
• Step 2: Complete and pass an entrance exam.
• Step 3: Provide the required documentation.

Is Dental Assisting for You?

Do you think helping put smiles on others’ faces helps put one on yours? Please have a look at this program at our Modesto Campus. 

*Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

Citations:
^{1^a, b, c, d}  “Summary Report for Dental Assistants.” O*NET Online. US Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration. Nov. 16, 2021. (Accessed Dec. 16, 2021.)

Categories:

• Dental Assisting