Dental Assistants - 31-9091.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Assist dentist, set up patient and equipment, and keep records.

DOT Titles Included in this O*NET-SOC Code

  • Dental Assistant

Sample of Occupations in this SOC Family

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
  • Assist dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
  • Clean and polish removable appliances.
  • Clean teeth, using dental instruments.
  • Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
  • Fabricate temporary restorations and 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.
  • Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
  • Prepare patient, sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, and 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