What does a dental assistant do day-to-day?

I'm curious about dental assistant as a career option. What are the main duties and responsibilities of a dental assistant? How does it differ from a dental hygienist, and do I need specific training right after high school?

A dental assistant's duties encompass a wide variety of tasks that ensure the smooth functioning of a dental office and streamline patient care. These duties vary by state regulations and the dental offices where they work, but commonly include tasks like:

- Assisting the dentist during procedures: This could involve passing instruments, suctioning patients' mouths, applying topical anesthetics, etc.

- Sterilizing dental instruments and equipment: A critical function to maintain safety and hygiene standards.

- Taking dental X-rays: They operate X-ray machines and develop patient X-rays on instructions from the dentist.

- Administrative duties: This could be scheduling appointments, managing patient records, and handling billing and payment.

As for how dental assistants differ from dental hygienists, they each have distinct roles in dental care:

- Dental hygienists perform cleanings, examine patients for oral diseases such as gingivitis, and provide other preventive dental care. They may also educate patients on ways to improve and maintain their oral health. Hygienists are much more hands-on with the patients compared to dental assistants.

In terms of required training, many states do require dental assistants to have specific training and certification, which can be obtained through accredited dental assisting programs at community colleges or technical schools. These programs may lead to a certificate or diploma and take about 1 year to complete. Other states have no such requirements and dental assistants learn their duties on the job.

Finally, dental hygienists generally need a higher level of training and certification than dental assistants. A Dental Hygiene (DH) degree is typically needed, which is a two- to three-year program.

Before you decide on this career, consider both the educational investment and the day-to-day tasks to see if the dental field is a fit for you! Depending on where you live, legal requirements can vary greatly, so it's essential to check your state's specific requirements.