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Dental assisting is a rewarding career, perfect for those who are kind, caring, and enjoy helping people.

On a typical day a dental assistant who delivers patient care will:

  • make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, and obtain dental records;
  • hand instruments and materials to dentists, and keep patients' mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices;
  • sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare tray setups for dental procedures, and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care;
  • sometimes prepare materials for making impressions and restorations, expose radiographs, and process dental x-ray film as directed by a dentist;
  • sometimes remove sutures, apply anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment;
  • make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions;
  • clean and polish removable appliances;
  • make temporary crowns;
  • schedule and confirm appointments;
  • receive patients;
  • keep treatment records;
  • send bills and receive payments;
  • order supplies and materials;