Occupation
Dental Assistants
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
O*NET 31.0 · 31-9091.00
A typical week, in the words of people in the job
- 01Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
- 02Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
- 03Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- 04Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
- 05Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
- 06Record treatment information in patient records.
- 07Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
- 08Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
- 09Fabricate temporary restorations or custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
- 10Clean and polish removable appliances.
- 11Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
- 12Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
Task statements ranked by how many workers report them · O*NET 31.0
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Knowledge the job leans on
Skills that carry over from service