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The duties of a dental assistant are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental office. Although state regulations vary, responsibilities may include:

• Assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
• Taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)
• Asking about the patient's medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse
• Serving as an infection control officer, developing infection control protocol, and preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment
• Helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment
• Providing patients with oral care instructions following surgery and other procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling)
• Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health, including tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling
• Taking impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth)
• Performing office management tasks
• Communicating with patients and suppliers, which may involve scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, billing and ordering supplies

• Solo dental practices with only one dentist
• Group practices with two or more dentists
• Specialty practices such as oral and maxillofacial surgery (removal of teeth and correction of facial deformities), orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics (straightening teeth with braces or other appliances), endodontics (root canal treatment), periodontics (treatment of gum problems), prosthodontics (replacement of lost teeth) and pediatric dentistry (treatment of children)
• Public health dentistry, including settings such as schools and clinics which focus on the prevention of dental problems within entire communities
• Hospital dental clinics, where they assist dentists in treating bedridden patients
• Dental school clinics, assisting dental students as they learn to perform dental procedures
• Insurance companies, where they may work in dental claims processing

Variety: Dental assisting is a challenging and rewarding career, demanding versatility and a willingness to assume responsibility for many different tasks.

Flexibility: Since dental assistants are in demand, career options include both full-time and part-time positions, giving you the freedom to arrange your schedule around family and lifestyle needs.

Excellent working conditions: Dental offices are interesting, pleasant, people-oriented environments.

Personal satisfaction: Dental assisting involves people contact, and with this comes the personal satisfaction of knowing you've really helped someone with a valuable health service.

• Dental assistants receive their formal education through academic programs at community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, universities or dental schools.
• Graduates of these programs usually receive certificates. Most academic dental assisting programs take nine to eleven months to complete.
• Some schools offer accelerated training, part-time education programs or distance learning options.
• The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) is responsible for accrediting dental assisting programs. There are approximately 240 CODA-accredited programs in the United States.
• Most dental assistants who choose to become nationally certified take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Becoming a CDA shows that you are trained and ready to assist dentists and other dental team members in providing quality care.
• Dental assistants are eligible to take the CDA examination if they have completed a CODA-accredited program. Individuals who have trained on the job or have graduated from non-accredited programs are eligible to take the national certification examination after two years of full-time work experience as dental assistants.
• Some states also recognize passage of components of the CDA examination, such as the Radiation Health and Safety examination, or the Infection Control examination, for licensing and regulatory purposes.
• State regulations vary, and some states require or offer registration or licensure. For more information on the type of education, training or registration dental assistants must have in your state, contact your state board of dental examiners.

Contact your dentist or your local dental society to learn more about careers in dental assisting. You may be able to visit a dental office to observe dental assistants at work. You also can contact an accredited dental assisting program and arrange to talk with a counselor or visit the school.

To learn more about dental assisting careers, continuing education courses and educational programs, contact:

The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)