Dental Assisting
Dental assistants often spend much of their day working closely with patients and dentists. For example, dental assistants might take a patient’s medical history, blood pressure, and pulse before a procedure; explain what will be done; and talk to patients about oral care. They help dentists during a procedure by passing instruments and holding equipment such as suction hoses, matrix bands, and dental curing lights. Other tasks include preparing the treatment room and making sure that instruments and equipment are sterile. Dental assistants also may document the procedure that is done and schedule follow-up appointments.
This program is currently only available in Oregon.
Length of Study
Career Level
Delivery Type
Duties
Assist or provide fundamental care or support in the presence of licensed nursing personnel. Responsibilities include patient monitoring, feeding, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and ambulation within a healthcare or nursing facility, and other health-related duties may be included.
Career Opportunities
Day in the Life
Dental assistants typically do the following:
Ensure that patients are comfortable in the dental chair
Prepare patients and the work area for treatments and procedures
Sterilize dental instruments
Hand instruments to dentists during procedures
Dry patients’ mouths using suction hoses and other equipment
Instruct patients in proper oral hygiene
Process x rays and complete lab tasks, under the direction of a dentist
Keep records of dental treatments
Schedule patient appointments
Work with patients on billing and payment
Job Outlook
Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.