Dental Assistants
Also known as: Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Certified Registered Dental Assistant, Dental Aide (+18 more)
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.
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What You'll Do
- Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Record treatment information in patient records.
- Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
- Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
- Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
- Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
- Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
- Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
- Clean and polish removable appliances.
Essential Skills
Career Fit Overview
Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.
Top passions
- Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
- Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
- Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
Common styles
Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cooperation, Cautiousness, Integrity
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Key Abilities
This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:
Technologies & Tools
Work Environment & Strengths
Common Strengths for This Career
- Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.78/5)
- Dependability (High importance: 4.67/5)
- Cooperation (High importance: 4.62/5)
- Cautiousness (High importance: 4.37/5)
- Integrity (High importance: 4.28/5)
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This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.
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Also Known As
This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:
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