Dental assistants assist dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists during the examination and treatment of patients and perform clerical functions. Dental laboratory assistants assist dental technologists and technicians in preparing and fabricating dentures and other dental devices. Dental assistants work in dentists' offices, community health centres, clinics and in educational institutions. Dental laboratory assistants are employed in dental laboratories.
Dental assistants
Prepare patients for dental examination and assist the dentist during examinations and dental treatments
Sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment
Prepare dental instruments, fillings, compounds and various dental materials
Take and develop X-rays
Polish teeth and clinical crowns and apply fluoride and sealant
Take preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts
Educate patients concerning oral hygiene
Perform clerical duties such as prepare invoices, process payments, schedule patient appointments, record dental procedures performed and order dental and office supplies
May perform intra-oral duties such as remove sutures, take and record vital signs, apply desensitizing agents, topical anaesthetic, anticariogenic agents and coronal whitening, fabricate, place, and remove temporary crowns and restorations, and apply and remove rubber dams
May also perform pulp vitality testing as well as periodontal screening and recording.