Job Overview: Prepares treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and
protocols. Readies patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping
patient. Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests.
Essential Functions Include But are Not Limited to:
• Assists the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
• Takes and develops dental radiographs (xrays)
• Asks about the patient's medical history and takes blood pressure and pulse
• Serves as an infection control officer, developing infection control protocols and
preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment
• Helps patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment
• Provides patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental
treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling)
• Teaches patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health
(e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling)
• Takes impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth)
• Performs office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer
• Communicates with patients and suppliers (e.g., scheduling appointments, answering the
telephone, billing, and ordering supplies)
• Helps to provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics,
pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and oral surgery
Qualifications/Skills:
• Dental health maintenance
• Use of dental technology
• Infection control
• Patient services
• Creating a safe, effective environment
• Listening
• Teamwork
• Bedside manner
• Health promotion and maintenance
• Use of medical technologies
• Performing diagnostic procedures
Education/Certification/Licensure:
• Dental Assistant Certification
• 1+ years in a dental office
• Experience with EMR (electronic medical records), medical terminology a plus