Dental Assistants perform many tasks, ranging from patient care and taking x-rays to record keeping and scheduling appointments. Specific duties vary by state and by the dentists’ offices where they work.

Dental Assistants routinely perform a variety of important tasks, including:

• Scheduling patient appointments.
• Preparing patients and the work area for treatments and procedures.
• Sterilizing and preparing dental instruments.
• Assisting dentists during dental procedures.
• Instructing patients in proper oral hygiene.
• Processing x-rays and complete lab tasks, under the direction of a dentist.
• Recording and updating patient dental treatment records.
• Working with patients on billing and payment.
• Performing other chairside procedures.

*Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm. For the latest national information, please visit U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.