Role of the Dental Assistant

Duties & Responsibilities

The dental assistant is a multi-skilled member of the dental health team, dedicated to assisting the dentist with all phases of dentistry. Dental Assistants may perform any of the following:

• seating patients in the treatment area
• passing requested instruments to the dentist during dental procedures
• sterilization and preparation of instruments
• taking impressions of teeth for study models
• polishing clinical crowns
• exposing and developing X-rays
• providing assistance in the office with tasks such as appointment scheduling, record keeping, telephone management, and billing
• ordering supplies
• serve as office manager or receptionist, greeting patients and introducing patients to the dental practice
• manage the business aspect of dentistry including bookkeeping, accounting, and money management
• manage patient records, filing, and recall systems
• assist the dentist directly at chairside with operative, oral surgery, orthodontic, and a wide range of other procedures
• provide oral hygiene instructions, preventive dentistry & dietary counseling
• perform the expanded functions legally authorized in the state of Florida
• take x-rays, impressions, and apply fluoride and sealants
• assist with patient management by working with a wide range of population groups
• perform laboratory functions such as pouring & trimming models, constructing custom trays and fabricating temporary crowns and bridges
• assist with implementation and documentation of current infection control standards