Medical

Dental Assistant

Proud of your pearly whites? Help other people get the same!

Support dentists during procedures, prepare treatment rooms, sterilize instruments, take X-rays, and educate patients on oral hygiene.

Salary Range

$30,000 – $50,000

per year (10th–90th percentile)

Median Salary

$41,180

per year

Growth Outlook

High Growth

2024–2034 projected

Help improve people's health and loves every day, Work with cutting edge technology, Learn a skill transferable to all 50 states!

Browse Dental Assistant Jobs

Tasks & Responsibilities

Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
Record treatment information in patient records.
Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services, complete insurance forms, and maintain records, manually or using computer.

Tools of the Trade

Orthodontic pliersDental handpiecesDental dam suppliesDental forcepsSteam autoclaves or sterilizersDental probes or explorersMedical radiological shielding aprons or masks or drapesDental saliva ejectors or oral suction devicesDental x ray unitsDental syringes or needles or syringes with needlesDental lasersCosmetic dentistry curing lightsOrthodontic band drivers or pushers or settersDental laboratory vacuum unitsPeriodontal curettesDental scissorsDental radiology filmsDental finishing or polishing kitsTeeth cleaning devicesChemical or gas sterilizersDental examination chairsMedical gas cylinders or related devicesDental articulatorsPulse oximeter unitsMedical radiation dosimetersDental laboratory lathesDental filler contouring instrumentsDental tooth separatorsDental x-ray bite blocks or wings or tabsDental matrices or setsDental formersDental laboratory air abrasion unitsDry heat or hot air sterilizersElectronic blood pressure unitsDental material pluggers or tipsSurgical clamps or clips or forcepsBands for dental matrixDental x ray apparatus parts or kits or accessoriesDental laboratory model trimmersDental instrument sharpening accessoriesDental film processorsMercury blood pressure unitsElectrosurgical or electrocautery equipmentDental laboratory casting machinesDental operatory retraction cordsDental bursDental amalgamatorsDental impression traysDental procedure combination furniture or setsOrthodontic appliance claspsDental finishing or polishing discsDental hygiene instrumentsDental pulp or vitality testersDental wedges or setsDental depth gaugesDental cutting or separating discsUltrasonic cleaning equipmentDental elevatorsDental syringe accessory kitsDental tweezersAir compressorsDental retainersOrthodontic bracketsDental scalersPersonal computersDental spatulas

Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 89/100

Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. 85/100

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 69/100

Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 62/100

Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology. 61/100

Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. 58/100

Sales and Marketing

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems. 58/100

Production and Processing

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. 52/100

Personnel and Human Resources

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems. 48/100

Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. 43/100