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Summary  •  Details  •  Custom

Dental Assistants - 31-9091.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Dental Assistant
  • Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
  • Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
  • Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA)
  • Orthodontic Assistant
  • Certified Registered Dental Assistant
  • Oral Surgery Assistant
  • Surgical Dental Assistant
  • Expanded Dental Assistant
  • Expanded Duty Dental Assistant

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
  • Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
  • Clean and polish removable appliances.
  • Clean teeth, using dental instruments.
  • Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
  • Fabricate and fit orthodontic appliances and materials for patients, such as retainers, wires, or bands.
  • Fabricate temporary restorations or custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
  • Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
  • Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
  • Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
  • Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
  • Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
  • Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
  • Record treatment information in patient records.
  • Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services, complete insurance forms, and maintain records, manually or using computer.
  • Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.

Detailed Work Activities

  • assist in examining or treating dental or medical patients
  • collect specimens from patients
  • complete patient bills
  • complete patient insurance forms
  • follow dental or medical x-ray procedures
  • follow patient care procedures
  • maintain dental or medical records
  • observe patient condition
  • operate dental equipment
  • perform dental hygiene procedures
  • post medical insurance billings
  • prepare medical treatment room
  • prepare patient for dental work
  • prepare patients for tests, therapy, or treatments
  • process medical records
  • provide customer service
  • record medical history or data
  • schedule meetings or appointments
  • set up dental equipment
  • set up patient care equipment
  • sterilize or disinfect instruments
  • take vital signs
  • use clinical sterilizing technique
  • use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
  • use dental treatment procedures
  • use knowledge of medical terminology
  • use secretarial procedures

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Dental Assistant (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Department Administrative Assistant (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Dental Surgical Technologist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Tracking NEC (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dentalman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dentalman Apprentice (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dentalman Recruit (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Field Service Dental Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Health Services - Dental (Coast Guard - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Dental Assistant

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Dental Assistant