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.
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