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Careers / Dental Assistants |
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| Summary Description |
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Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records. |
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| Sample Job Titles |
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1. |
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) |
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2. |
Certified Registered Dental Assistant |
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3. |
Dental Aide |
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4. |
Dental Assistant (DA) |
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5. |
Dental Nurse |
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6. |
Dental Office Manager |
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7. |
Dentist Attendant |
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8. |
Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) |
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9. |
Expanded Function Dental Assistant |
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10. |
Oral Surgery Assistant |
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11. |
Orthodontic Assistant (Ortho Assistant) |
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12. |
Orthodontic Technician |
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13. |
Orthodontist Assistant |
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14. |
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) |
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15. |
Surgical Dental Assistant |
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| Job Tasks |
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Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- Clean medical equipment.
- Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use.
- Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.
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Record treatment information in patient records.
- Maintain medical records.
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Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Operate medical equipment.
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Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
- Interview patients to gather medical information.
- Record vital statistics or other health information.
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Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
- Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures.
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Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
- Explain technical medical information to patients.
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Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
- Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients.
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Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
- Inventory medical supplies or equipment.
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Clean teeth, using dental instruments.
- Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
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Fabricate and fit orthodontic appliances and materials for patients, such as retainers, wires, or bands.
- Make patient-assistive devices or device models.
- Fit patients for assistive devices.
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Fabricate temporary restorations or custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
- Make patient-assistive devices or device models.
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Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services, complete insurance forms, and maintain records, manually or using computer.
- Schedule patient procedures or appointments.
- Maintain medical records.
- Process medical billing information.
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Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
- Make patient-assistive devices or device models.
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Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
- Make patient-assistive devices or device models.
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Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
- Administer basic health care or medical treatments.
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Clean and polish removable appliances.
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| Work Activities |
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| Assisting and Caring for Others —
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. |
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| Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards —
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. |
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| Getting Information —
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
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| Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships —
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. |
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| Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge —
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. |
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| Interacting With Computers —
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. |
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| Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material —
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
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| Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others —
Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. |
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| Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates —
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
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| Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events —
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
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| Documenting/Recording Information —
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. |
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| Making Decisions and Solving Problems —
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
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| Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work —
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
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| Handling and Moving Objects —
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
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| Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings —
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
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| Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People —
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people. |
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| Processing Information —
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
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| Analyzing Data or Information —
Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. |
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| Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information —
Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity. |
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| Performing for or Working Directly with the Public —
Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. |
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| Performing General Physical Activities —
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. |
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| Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others —
Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. |
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| Thinking Creatively —
Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. |
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| Controlling Machines and Processes —
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
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| Developing and Building Teams —
Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. |
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| Developing Objectives and Strategies —
Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. |
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| Training and Teaching Others —
Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. |
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| Performing Administrative Activities —
Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork. |
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| Scheduling Work and Activities —
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. |
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| Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others —
Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
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| Communicating with Persons Outside Organization —
Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. |
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| Provide Consultation and Advice to Others —
Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics. |
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| Monitoring and Controlling Resources —
Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money. |
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| Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates —
Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. |
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| Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment —
Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles. |
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| Coaching and Developing Others —
Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. |
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| Selling or Influencing Others —
Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions. |
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| Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment —
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles. |
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| Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment —
Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used. |
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| Nature of the Work |
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| Working Conditions |
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| Interesting Fact |
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| Sylvester Stallone onced worked as a lion-cage cleaner! |
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