31-9091.00 · Task explorer
Dental Assistants: reported tasks and exploration worksheet
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
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Read the task inventory
This source lists 16 tasks, including 14 marked Core and 2 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.
Task source dates: 08/2021.
16 tasks shown
Core · Task 550 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
Core · Task 552 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Record treatment information in patient records.
Core · Task 555 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
Core · Task 18552 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
Core · Task 551 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
Core · Task 554 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
Core · Task 557 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
Core · Task 553 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
Core · Task 561 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
Core · Task 563 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services, complete insurance forms, and maintain records, manually or using computer.
Core · Task 558 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
Core · Task 556 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
Core · Task 562 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Fabricate temporary restorations or custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
Core · Task 559 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Clean and polish removable appliances.
Supplemental · Task 560 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Clean teeth, using dental instruments.
Supplemental · Task 18553 · 08/2021 · Incumbent
Fabricate and fit orthodontic appliances and materials for patients, such as retainers, wires, or bands.
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Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.