Program Codes: 
10295
Employment Percentage: 
15.98114633821
SOC ID: 
31-9091
SOC Title: 
Dental Assistants
ONET ID: 
31-9091.00
ONET Concat ID: 
31909100
Median Salary: 
38862.5
Interest Area Term: 
Ed Level High School: 
9.42
Ed Level Certificate: 
62.540001
Ed Level Some College: 
8.46
Ed Level Associates: 
11.99
Ed Level Bachelors: 
1.89
Ed Level Masters: 
5.7
Ed Level Doctor: 
0
Typical Ed Level: 
a certificate
Description: 

Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.

Core Tasks: 

<ul><li>Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.</li><li>Record treatment information in patient records.</li><li>Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.</li><li>Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.</li><li>Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.</li><li>Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.</li><li>Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.</li><li>Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.</li><li>Fabricate temporary restorations or custom impressions from preliminary impressions.</li><li>Pour, trim, and polish study casts.</li><li>Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.</li><li>Clean and polish removable appliances.</li></ul>

Start Annual Earnings: 
27635.68
Top Annual Earnings: 
56090.96
Title Slug: 
dental-assistant