Dental Assistant

Online Research

Duties and Responsibilities:

Dental assistants assist the dental operator (dentist or other treating dental auxiliary) in providing more efficient dental treatment, by preparing the patient for treatment, sterilizing instruments, passing instruments during the procedure, holding suction devices, exposing dental radiographs, taking impressions, and fabricating provisional crowns. Dental operators can focus more time on the procedure; the dental assistant then effectively becomes the operator's extra hands.

Dental assistants should be distinguished from dental hygienists, who usually have a higher level of training and expertise.

Salary:

Median pay (annual): 34,500 USD (2012)

Education:

Need a dental degree.

Reflection:

I don’t really want to become a Dental Assistant because I really don’t know what to expect fro the patient.