Description
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.
Interests
- Conventional
- Realistic
- Social
Work Values
- Relationships
- Support
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Self-Control
- Stress Tolerance
- Integrity
Tasks
- Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- Record treatment information in patient records.
- Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
- Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
- Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Working with Computers
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Detailed Work Activities
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Technology Skills
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
- Accounting software
- Office suite software
Abilities
- Near Vision
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Written Comprehension
Skills
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Instructing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Administrative
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Certified Dental Assistant - Topical AnestheticCertifying Organization
Dental Assisting National Board
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Registered Medical AssistantCertifying Organization
American Phlebotomy Association
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified Dental Assistant - Radiation Health and SafetyCertifying Organization
Dental Assisting National Board
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
National Entry Level Dental AssistantCertifying Organization
Dental Assisting National Board
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and ControlCertifying Organization
Dental Assisting National Board
Type
Specialty
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $40,384 |
| Median (50%) | $45,601 |
| High (90%) | $54,115 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $46,229 |
| Mid Level | $51,235 |
| Senior Level | $53,414 |
| Expert Level | $51,919 |
Employability
There are currently 376,500 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 408,000 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 8%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 8%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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