What does a dental assistant do in their job?

I'm thinking about going into dental assisting as a career option after high school. Can anyone guide me on what exactly a dental assistant's job entails and what the work environment is like? Is it a rewarding career?

A dental assistant plays a key role in supporting the dentist and making the clinic run smoothly. They are primarily responsible for assisting the dentist during dental procedures. This can involve preparing patients for treatments, passing instruments to the dentist, maintaining instruments and equipment, and managing dental procedure records.

In terms of the work environment, dental assistants mainly work in dental offices or hospitals, often in close collaboration with dentists, dental hygienists, and office staff. The environment can be quite fast-paced, especially in busy dental practices. It requires precision, ability to multitask, attention to detail, and good interpersonal skills, as you will be interacting with patients on a regular basis—putting them at ease, answering their questions, and explaining dental procedures to them.

Aside from these, dental assistants also take on administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, billing patients, and maintaining patient records.

Rewarding or not largely depends on your personal interest. If you're intrigued by oral healthcare and enjoy interacting with people, then it can certainly be rewarding. You would also play a key role in helping patients maintain their oral health. However, like any job, it can have its challenges. It can be physically demanding due to long working hours on your feet and you may need to wear protective equipment for extended periods.

As you consider this path, it might be a good idea to shadow a dental assistant or speak with professionals in the field to get an even clearer idea of whether this is the right fit for you.