Answer
Dental assistants help dentists deliver dental care to patients by taking on a mix of patient care and administrative duties. Their scope of practice depends on state regulations, but common responsibilities of a dental assistant include:
- Prepare patients for treatments and procedures
- Take x-rays
- Recordkeeping
- Scheduling appointments
- Assist patients in billing and payment
- Sterilizing instruments, and assisting dentists during procedures
- Taking medical history, blood pressure, and pulse before a procedure
- Talk to patients about proper oral hygiene
What dental assistants do on a daily basis depends on the specific roles and responsibilities included in the job description, which can vary by employer.
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