What You'll Do

  • Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
  • Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
  • Record treatment information in patient records.
  • Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
  • Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
  • Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
  • Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
  • Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
  • Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
  • Clean and polish removable appliances.

Essential Skills

Active Listening 3.88/5
Speaking 3.38/5
Reading Comprehension 3.25/5
Active Learning 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.12/5
Instructing 3.12/5
Service Orientation 3.12/5
Writing 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5
Coordination 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Self-Control, Stress Tolerance, Integrity

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Near Vision 4.12/5
Oral Expression 4.0/5
Oral Comprehension 3.88/5
Speech Recognition 3.75/5
Written Comprehension 3.5/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.38/5
Information Ordering 3.25/5
Written Expression 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

Email software Henry Schein Dentrix Kodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMS Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Open Dental Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft Quicken The Systems Workplace TDOCS Web browser software Word processing software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.55/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.54/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.54/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 4.44/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.41/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Certified Registered Dental Assistant Dental Aide Dental Assistant (DA) Dental Nurse Dental Office Assistant Dental Specialist Dentist Attendant Expanded Dental Assistant Expanded Duties Dental Assistant Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) General Practical Dental Assistant Oral Surgery Assistant Orthodontic Assistant (Ortho Assistant) Orthodontic Dental Assistant Orthodontist Assistant Pediatric Dental Assistant Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Surgical Dental Assistant