Helps with patient care, including handing instruments and other materials to the dentist during procedures, taking x-rays of patients’ teeth, taking impressions of patients’ teeth for casts, using suction and swabs to keep patients’ mouths clear and dry during procedures, etc. He or she makes patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepares them for treatment, obtains their dental records, and instructs patients on postoperative and general oral health care.