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Dental Assistants - 31-9091.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
  • Certified Registered Dental Assistant
  • Dental Assistant (DA)
  • Expanded Dental Assistant
  • Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA)
  • Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA)
  • Oral Surgery Assistant
  • Orthodontic Assistant (Ortho Assistant)
  • Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
  • Surgical 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

  • Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
  • Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.
  • Clean medical equipment.
  • Explain technical medical information to patients.
  • Fit patients for assistive devices.
  • Interview patients to gather medical information.
  • Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
  • Maintain medical records.
  • Make patient-assistive devices or device models.
  • Operate medical equipment.
  • Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
  • Process medical billing information.
  • Record vital statistics or other health information.
  • Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
  • Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Dental Assistant (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Apprentice (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Craftsman, Dental Hygienist (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Helper (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Assistant Journeyman, Dental Hygienist (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Department Administrative Assistant (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Hygienist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Dental Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Dental Surgical Technologist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Technician, Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dental Tracking NEC (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dentalman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dentalman Apprentice (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Dentalman Recruit (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Field Medical Service Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Field Service Dental Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Health Services - Dental (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Craftsman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Journeyman, Health Information Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Management Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Hospital Corpsman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Medical Administration Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Naval Special Warfare Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Special Forces Medical Sergeant (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Dental Assistant (Alternate Title: Dental Specialist)

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Dental Assistant