Dental assistants perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Patient care: Greet patients, make them feel comfortable, and prepare them for procedures. They also review patient health histories, answer questions, and provide pre- and post-operative instructions.
- Clinical tasks: Assist dentists during procedures by handing them instruments, holding suction hoses, and monitoring patients during sedation. They may also perform limited clinical procedures, such as taking x-rays, making dental impressions, and polishing teeth.
- Office tasks: Schedule appointments, manage records and payments, and communicate with patients and suppliers. They may also inventory and order office supplies, manage online communications, and manage online reviews.
- Treatment room management: Set up treatment rooms,
keep them clean and stocked, and ensure they are disinfected according to OSHA regulations.
- Sterilization: Sterilize dental instruments and equipment.
- Lab tasks: Process x-rays and complete lab tasks under the direction of a dentist.
- Quality improvement: Identify opportunities for quality improvement, participate in accreditation and quality processes, and develop procedures to enhance quality outcomes.