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Career Details : Dental Assistants

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Description

Assist dentist, set up patient and equipment, and keep records.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Tasks

  • Prepares patient, sterilizes and disinfects instruments, sets up instrument trays, prepares materials, and assists dentist during dental procedures.
  • Takes and records medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
  • Assists dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
  • Records treatment information in patient records.
  • Provides postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
  • Pours, trims, and polishes study casts.
  • Instructs patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
  • Cleans teeth, using dental instruments.
  • Fabricates temporary restorations and custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
  • Schedules appointments, prepares bills and receives payment for dental services, completes insurance forms, and maintains records, manually or using computer.
  • Cleans and polishes removable appliances.
  • Makes preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
  • Applies protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
  • Exposes dental diagnostic x-rays.

    Related Careers

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Job-Required Social Interaction
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Consequence of Error
    • Indoors
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