Dental assistants work at chairside as dentists examine and treat patients. The assistant prepares the patient for treatment, obtains dental records and provides instruments and materials needed during treatment procedures. The dental assistant also provides post-treatment instruction, instructs patients in oral health care, takes impressions for study casts, exposes radiographs and processes dental X-ray film as directed by the dentist. In some dental offices, assistants perform business office and laboratory duties as well. The wide range of tasks that a dental assistant may perform requires technical and interpersonal skills. A dental assistant may be employed in general dentistry or in any dental specialty area. Employment opportunities include solo or group dental practices, government clinics, hospitals or teaching institutions.
