• Jump To:
• Overview
• Locations
• Job Outlook
• Curriculum
• Certifications
• Disclosures

Dental Assisting: Chairside, In the Lab, and In the Office

The duties of a dental assistant are performed chairside, in the dental lab, or in the dental practice’s business office. A typical dental assistant program includes a study of basic body systems and functions, oral anatomy, dental science, dental materials, computer and office applications, and oral radiology in preparation for these job duties. An externship offers students the opportunity to practice their learned skills in a dental office environment and prepare for their dental assisting career.

A dental assistant who delivers patient care may have several duties, including the following:⁽¹⁾ 

• Prepare patients for treatment.
• Retrieve patients’ dental records.
• Hand dental instruments, materials, and equipment to dentists.
• Use suction or similar devices to help keep patients’ mouths dry and clear.
• Prepare tray setups for dental procedures.
• Sterilize and disinfect instrument and equipment.
• Prepare materials for making dental impressions and restorations.
• Offer patients instruction in postoperative steps and general oral healthcare.
• With additional X-ray certification: Expose radiographs and process dental X-rays as directed by a dentist.

A dental assistant with laboratory duties may be called on to do the following:⁽¹⁾ 

• Prepare materials for impressions and restorations.
• Make actual casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions.
• Make temporary crowns.
• Clean and polish removable dental appliances.

A dental assistant with business office duties may perform the following tasks on a typical workday:

• Greet and receive patients.
• Maintain records of patients’ treatments.
• Schedule and confirm patients’ appointments.
• Create and send bills.
• Process payments.
• Order supplies and other materials for the dental office.

Whether working chairside, in the lab, or in the office, a dental assistant can generally be expected to perform a variety of assignments and duties that have varied levels of responsibility during a typical day on the job.