Like any healthcare professional, your ultimate goal as a dental assistant will be serving patients. But what exactly does a dental assistant do on a daily basis? In this role, you’ll take on different tasks every day, based on the needs of the dentists and the practice you’re employed in. However, you can expect to do these eight things anywhere you go.
What You Will Do As a Dental Assistant
Dentists are busy providers. That’s where you, as a dental assistant, come in. In short, a dental assistant works with hygienists and other members of the dental care team to optimize the dentists’ time and keep them moving from patient to patient.
1. Assisting Dentists
You’ll be expected to follow the orders of the dentists you work under. Most of their directives will have you completing other tasks we’ll discuss below, but they may entrust you with other tasks as you become familiar with the working environment. With the right attitude and superiors, your dental assistantship can be a stepping stone that takes you to new levels in your career.
2. Ensuring Patient Comfort
Many patients are apprehensive about coming to the dentist, and since they will likely spend more time with you than they will with their actual provider, it will be up to you to ease their concerns and make them as comfortable as possible during their visit. This may involve basics like adjusting their seat and explaining what certain instruments do, but it can also involve providing emotional support and reassurance that they have nothing to fear by being at the dentist’s office.
3. Making Casts and Crowns
Casts and temporary crowns are essential diagnostic and treatment tools that will help the dentist make the best decisions and provide precise solutions for your patients. You will have the responsibility of making sure they’re done well so they are accurate for future examinations.
4. Dental X-Rays
Taking and processing X-rays is one of the most common roles of a dental assistant. Your training will involve learning how the X-ray machine works and the steps you need to take for safe, effective imaging.
5. Preventive and Preparatory Care
Prior to certain treatments, you will be in charge of preparing materials, applying anesthetics and setting up work centers for the dentist. You may also be expected to complete post-care services like removing sutures and applying cavity-preventive substances to gums and teeth.
6. Patient Appliance Care
Between you and the patient, you will be the expert in appliance care and maintenance. You will likely perform deep cleanings and polish removable appliances to ensure oral health and safety between visits.
7. Oral Healthcare Direction
Whether your patient has beautiful teeth or needs corrective work, oral health can always be improved. You may guide children, teens and adults on how they can better care for their teeth and mouth to prevent cavities and other serious conditions from developing.
8. Administrative Work
You will also be expected to do your part with administrative paperwork. You may be tasked with calling and scheduling patient appointments, confirming them and ensuring all dental records are in order and stay organized for future reviews.
Become a Dental Assistant Today
Being a dental assistant is a collaborative role. What a dental assistant does each day may depend on what their co-workers and patients need the most help with. Many people in this role find the variety in their workflow exciting and rewarding.
The best way to understand the full scope of a dental assistant’s job is to gain firsthand experience. At The American Institute of Dental Assisting, we help hundreds of students every year gain the skills they need to be successful in every area of their new career path. Start your journey by applying online today. We offer same-day admission for qualified applicants. In just 13 weeks, you can receive certification to perform each of the responsibilities outlined above.