What Does a Dental Assistant Do?

Dental assistants can be vital members of a dental office team. They can help improve the efficiency of the practice by serving as an extra set of hands for the dentist and the front office manager. Dental assistants can also enjoy the satisfaction of helping patients by contributing to positive experiences at the dental office. U.S. News & World Report ranked dental assisting among the 100 Best Jobs and as the 25^th Best Healthcare Support Job in 2017.^[1]

Dental Assistant Job Description

The majority of dental assistants (91 percent) work in dentists’ offices. The government and physicians’ offices employ another 4 percent of dental assistants. For the most part, dental assistants work full time, but just over 33 percent worked part time in 2016.^[2] While their job responsibilities depend on the state and type of practice they work in, dental assistants typically perform a combination of clerical tasks in the front office and clinical duties in the back office. They work alongside dental hygienists and under the supervision of dentists.^[3][4]

Since dental assisting entails working closely with patients and handling medical instruments and equipment, these professionals wear safety gear to prevent the spread of infectious diseases: surgical masks, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing. Those who work with x-ray machines must also adhere to the appropriate safety procedures.^[5]

Delta Technical College offers dental assistant training for entry-level jobs in dental facilities. Potential positions graduates of its dental assistant programs in Horn Lake and Ridgeland, Mississippi, include dental laboratory assistant, clinical dental assistant, and dental office administrative assistant.

Dental Assistants Duties

Each state has its own set of regulations for the scope of dental assistants’ job duties.^[6] Dental assistants’ work responsibilities can also vary with the practice. Some dental assistants may only focus on clerical tasks in the front of the office, and others may only assist the dentist with clinical procedures. It is also not uncommon for dental assistants to perform a combination of front and back office roles.^[7][8][9]

Dental Office Administrative Assistant Duties	Clinical Dental Assistant Duties
Data entry	Radiograph (X-Rays) Assistance
Electronic Recordkeeping	Patient Assessment Tasks
Insurance Claim Management	Sterilization
Appointment Scheduling	Equipment Maintenance
Billing & Coding	Clinical Procedures
Customer Service	Laboratory Duties
Computing	Infection Control
Using Software Programs	Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Mississippi Radiology Requirements

In Mississippi, where Delta Tech’s Horn Lake and Ridgeland dental assistant programs are offered, a dental assistant must hold a radiology permit from the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners to legally operate dental X-Ray equipment and execute dental radiographic procedures. Applicants must meet at least one of the requirements below within the specified time frame.^[10]

Mississippi Radiology Permit Requirements

Time Frame	Requirement
More than 12 months before applying	Graduate from a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and provide proof of employment administering radiographs within the 5 years prior to applying.
Within 12 months prior to applying	Graduate from a dental assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
Within 90 days prior to applying	Complete a radiology seminar approved by the Mississippi Board and pass the exam.
Prior to application	Possess a current Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

Advanced Dental Assistant Duties

Some states allow dental assistants to perform advanced duties.^[11]

Advanced Duties	Description
Sealant Application	Sealing teeth with a plastic substance to protect them from bacteria and food particles that can cause cavities.
Topical Anesthetic Application	Applying topical anesthetic in a patient’s mouth to numb a specific area in preparation for a procedure.
Coronal Polishing	Removal of plaque and other soft deposits to make teeth look cleaner.
Fluoride Application	Applying fluoride directly to the teeth to prevent cavities.

In Mississippi, where Delta Tech offers dental assistant programs in Horn Lake and Ridgeland, dental assistants who work directly with patients must be certified in CPR within 180 days of employment in order to perform these advanced duties under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist.^[12][13]

Working in the Dental Care Industry

Dental assistants play a dynamic role in dental care practices, helping with clinical procedures and front office tasks. Compared to the career path of a dentist, which takes years of college and training, the Dental Assisting Program at Delta Tech can be completed in 9 months.^[14] Time isn’t the only advantage either: dental assisting is a growing field that offers a variety of job duties, security, flexibility of work scheduling, and personal satisfaction.^[15][16]