The dental assistant is a valuable part of any successful dentist office. The assistant provides support to both the dentist and the dental hygienist. Generally, the dental assistant is charged with responsibilities that may be considered small but are in fact very necessary to the function of the practice. Essentially, the dental assistant handles a number of little details, thus freeing the dental operators in the office to focus on direct patient care. Here are a few examples of the type of support offered by dental assistants.

One of the more common tasks associated with the dental assistant is the preparation of the patient care areas of the office. The assistant will make sure that all instruments are kept in proper working order, are kept sterilized, and are laid out properly for use by the dentist or dental hygienist. In addition, the assistant will also make sure that medication, bibs, and other essentials intended to make the patient more comfortable are prepared and ready for use. Preparation of the patient care areas may also include such basics as cleaning and dusting the space, as well as mopping the floors.

Behind the scenes, the dental assistant also often takes care of developing the radiographs that are taken by the dental operators in the office. Often, these are placed with other pertinent information about a patient, so the care provider can have a complete record of the health status of the patient. Along with preparing the radiographs, a dental assistant also often is able to prepare materials for temporary fillings and other tasks under the direction of the dentist or hygienist.

A dental assistant may also be present during a dentistry procedure as well. Often, the assistant will aid in retracting tissue or suctioning an area so the dental operator can have a clearer field of vision. Also, the assistant often hands the operator requested equipment during the procedure, allowing the operator to focus on the task at hand. It is not unusual for the dental assistant to also handle charting responsibilities once a procedure is completed, or the dentist renders a diagnosis.

While many jurisdictions do not require formal education for a dental assistant, it is not unusual for persons who enter the field to have some sort of training that relates to oral hygiene can care. Certainly, the role of the dental assistant is one that makes a big difference in the level of patient care that is provided by any dental office.