Dental Assistant Job Description

Dental assistants provide support functions for dentists including assisting with dental procedures, lab work and office functions.

When helping with patient’s dental procedures, a dental assistant may be involved with:

Preparing dental instruments Gathering patient’s dental records Handing instruments to dentist during patient procedures Keeping patient’s mouth dry during procedures Instructing patients on proper oral healthcare Taking and preparing x-rays Applying anesthetics

Lab duties of dental assistants include making casts of teeth, creating temporary crowns and cleaning dental prosthetics.

Office support includes scheduling appointments, receiving patients in office, billing, ordering supplies and keeping patient records.

Most dental assistants work in dentist’s offices. A small portion may work in hospitals or doctor’s offices. Similar to dental hygienists, up to one third of dental assistants work part-time.

Salary Ranges / Job Outlook for Dental Assistants

Like many healthcare fields, demand for dental assistants is expected to grow faster than average over next decade.

Purple pens.

According to a recent article in The Boston Globe, many teachers are giving up their infamous red pens and turning to purple. Although some stalwarts are gripping their crimson felt tips, others are embracing royal shade in all its jewel tones.

Red is aggressive. It suggests danger. It makes us stop. A returned assignment covered with red corrections is a hallmark of humiliation. If "seeing red" is a euphemism for rage, seeing red marks is a sign of failure.

Bring on purple. Purple is friendlier. Violet checks aren't as likely to cause cringing. Lavender circles are easier on eyes. Purple gets your attention without increasing your heart rate, and according to color psychologists, it is therapeutic for those suffering from nervous tension or mental anguish.

I feel like dancing in streets in my orchid boots, tossing my lilac beret in air and twirling my dozen iris scarves. You see, I am known as "woman who wears purple" and I make it a big part of my work.

I use purple to make a statement, but I'm borrowing idea from Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple, who said: "I think it pisses God off if you walk by color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it."