How to become a dental assistant
Combine administrative tasks with practical, patient-focused tasks to support Dental Practitioners as they assess and treat patients.
What does a dental assistant do?
Dental Assistants support Dental Practitioners in providing services to patients and assist with administrative tasks. They typically meet first with patients to assess patient needs before the Dental Practitioner, Hygienist or Therapist exams the patient.
Duties and tasks
- Assist Dental Practitioner in dental cleaning including holding suction tubes and water spray
- Give information to patients on proper cleaning and dental maintenance techniques, procedures and conditions
- Prepare and sterilise instruments for Practitioners depending on procedures being performed
- Process X-rays, gather medication and perform any additional tasks to assist Dental Practitioners, Hygienists and Therapists to meet with patients quickly and provide the best care possible
- Process billing payments and other office duties as needed
- Regularly check equipment and instruments for quality and cleanliness
- Use appointment schedule and sign-in register to call patients and prepare them to be seen by the Dentist
Professional bodies
Related jobs
- Dental hygienist
- Dental nurse
- Dental practitioner
- Dental therapist
- Oral health therapist
- Registered nurse
Discover nursing courses online
Postgraduate ACU-CNC-GCE
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing (Correctional Health)
Postgraduate UND-NUR-GCE
Postgraduate ACU-CLN-MAS
Postgraduate GRF-ANP-MAS
Postgraduate SCU-MHN-MAS
Postgraduate UND-NLM-GCE
Graduate Certificate in Clinical Leadership (Aspiring Leaders)
Postgraduate TAS-CUC-GDI
Graduate Diploma of Advanced Practice (Community and Urgent Care)
Available majors
- Community and Urgent Care
Postgraduate ECU-MDP-GCE
Graduate Certificate in Midwifery Diagnostics and Prescribing
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