DENTAL ASSISTANT

Contact us

What does a dental assistant do?

Dental assistants, or DAs, help the dentist during patient treatment. They’re an important part of the treatment process and the dental team. DAs sterilize and prepare equipment and prepare patients for procedures. They may also schedule appointments, maintain medical records, and handle other administrative duties, such as coding and billing.

Specifically, if you become a dental assistant, you’ll:

  • get patients ready for treatment and provide them with oral health related information.
  • document all details about the treatment in their patient records.
  • assist the dentist during procedures, as well as medical or dental emergencies.
  • assess and order dental supplies and equipment.
  • expose x-rays.

Is this a good career for you?

A successful dental assistant is:

Z

A Good Communicator

You need to be able to listen to and understand patients’ concerns. You also need to communicate clearly and concisely with other dental team members as well as patients.

Z

Highly Organized

You’ll find yourself juggling several tasks at once. Plus, you’ll be getting treatment areas ready while managing appointments and updating patient records.
Z

Obsessively Focused on the Details

When dealing with dental procedures, there’s no room for “close enough.” Precision is key. You’ll need to pay close attention to details when you’re prepping materials, taking x-rays, and assisting the dentist.

Z

Good With Their Hands

Dexterity is critical when you’re working in a space as small as the mouth. The slightest movement can make a difference. You’ll also need excellent near vision eyesight so you can see minute details just a few feet away from you.
Z

A Healthy Mix of a People Person and a Techie

In working with patients, it’s important you are empathetic and help put the patient at ease. You also need to be skilled with technology that goes beyond dental tools and equipment. You’ll likely be using dental software, spreadsheets, and other computer programs.

HOW MUCH CAN I MAKE?

HOW TO BECOME A DENTAL ASSISTANT IN NORTH CAROLINA

DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAMS IN NORTH CAROLINA