Dental assistantsDental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. They work chairside as dentists examine and treat patients. They make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, and obtain their dental records. Assistants hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients� mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. Assistants also sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare trays of instruments for dental procedures, and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care. Some dental assistants prepare materials for impressions and restorations, take dental x rays, and process x-ray film as directed by a dentist. They also may remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment. Those with laboratory duties make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and make temporary crowns. Dental assistants with office duties schedule and confirm appointments, receive patients, keep treatment records, send bills, receive payments, and order dental supplies and materials. Dental assistants should not be confused with dental hygienists, who are licensed to perform different clinical tasks. (See the statement on dental hygienists elsewhere in the Handbook.) Related news articles On the Job - 16 Oct 2006 Savannah Morning News,How she got the job: Ruf started out as a dental assistant and worked in the field for more than 10 years. "I stopped when I became a mother," she explained. ... Class Acts, Oct. 15 - 16 Oct 2006 Waco Tribune Herald,...$850 per week min. *$1500 Sign-on bonus *Mid....(more). DENTAL ASSISTANT - Pediatric dental team requests fun, child friendly cha....(more). ... Health, science building funds still being sought - 16 Oct 2006 Martinsville Bulletin,...health technology and science building include radiation technology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, exercise science, dental assistant, dental hygiene ... New, 12:45 pm: Unidentified human skull found near Mesa - 16 Oct 2006 Grand Junction Sentinel,DENTAL DENTAL ASSISTANT Progressive dental practice seeks enthusiastic, or....(more). NURSE RN & LPN Needed for full-time night shift positions. ... Defecting From Despair - 16 Oct 2006 ktla 5,..."They have such beautiful hearts.". Deborah, who lives in New York, studies English, works in a sushi restaurant and contemplates becoming a dental assistant. ... Dental assistant who helped with girl who died has no training - Oct 13, 2006 KHQA,CHICAGO (AP) -- A dental assistant who helped treat a five-year-old Chicago girl who died after being treated by a dentist says she was hired despite having no ... Dental assistant who helped with girl who died has no training - Oct 13, 2006 ABC7Chicago.com,October 13, 2006 (CHICAGO) - A dental assistant who helped treat a five-year-old Chicago girl who died after being treated by a dentist says she was hired ... Dental assistant is free clinic pioneer. - Oct 6, 2006 St. Louis Post-Dispatch,By Mary Jo Feldstein. Jan Storm started working in dentistry as a favor to her husband, B. Ray Storm. He was finishing dental school ... San Antonio College of Medical and Dental Assistants – San ... - Oct 13, 2006 Business Wire (press release),Texas Long-Term Occupational Projections, 2004, medical assistant positions are expected to increase by 62.3 percent, dental assistant positions are expected ... Assistant In Girl's Fatal Sedation: I Had No Training - Oct 13, 2006 NBC5.com,CHICAGO -- A dental assistant who helped treat a 5-year-old Chicago girl who died after being sedated said she was hired despite having no training. ... LOCAL BUSINESS BRIEFS - Oct 13, 2006 Pocono Record,East Stroudsburg University. Marsh has achieved certified dental assistant and expanded function dental assistant status. Marsh is ... Registration deadline nears - Oct 11, 2006 Greenville Daily Reflector,...of Correction Craven Correctional Institutio....(more). DENTAL Dental Assistant-Roving Dental Assistant, X-ray certification pref....(more). ... Diamond Dentist Goes To Hearing About License - Oct 13, 2006 CBS2 Chicago,CBS 2's Sylvia Gomez reports that a dental assistant who helped treat a five-year-old Chicago girl who died after being treated by the dentist says she had no ... Dentist, assistant testify about death of 5-year-old - Oct 13, 2006 Chicago Sun-Times,A dental assistant said she was left alone with a sedated 5-year-old patient who later lapsed into a coma and died -- even though she had no formal training ... Dentist Sedation Case: Assistant Says She Didn't Know How To ... - Oct 13, 2006 WBBM780,A dental assistant who helped treat the Brownridge says she was hired despite having no training. Zoila Ocampo testified today before a state board. ... Man who was no-show to hearing gets 50 years - Oct 13, 2006 News Journal,Front Desk and/or exp. Dental Assistant needed for busy office. Send resume....(more). EQUIPMENT DELIVERY Class A CDL w/2 years experience. ... More information on Dental assistants from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Dental assistants occupation Number of Dental assistants in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Dental assistants Working conditions for Dental assistants Significant points for Dental assistants Training requirements for Dental assistants Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |