Employment
Dental Assistant

Summary
A dental assistant provides support services under the direction of a dentist and other dental care team members. Responsibilities of a dental assistant can vary and may include basic office duties, assisting patients with their comfort levels, cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing instruments, equipment, and counter surfaces, preparing materials, drugs and medication for use in dental procedures, chairside assisting, processing x-rays, etc. Dental assistants may also chart dental records at the direction of a dentist, take impressions of diagnostic models, instruct patients on oral hygiene, pour impressions and perform other minor laboratory procedures. With additional training that is approved by a state dental board, dental assistants may take dental x-rays. Dental assistants often work in dental offices. However, hospitals and public health departments also employee these individuals.

Educational Requirements and Resources
In terms of education, this position requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. Dental assistants can be trained by dentists and/or complete a one or two year dental assisting program at either a vocational school or technical college and receive either a certificate, diploma or associate?s degree. Individuals may also become certified dental assistants by completing an examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board. For additional information on dental assisting as a career, please visit the American Dental Association. Please use the links provided below to learn more about specific educational programs pertaining to this field.

Dental Assistant

For More Information
Job Line:
(419) 226-7020

Fax
(419) 226-9870

E-mail
javantilburgh@health-
partners.org

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