Dental Assistants
Did You Know:
- Job prospects should be excellent.
- Dentists are expected to hire more assistants to perform routine tasks so dentists may devote their time to more complex procedures.
- Many assistants learn their skills on the job, although an increasing number are trained in dental-assisting programs; most programs take one year or less to complete.
- More than one-third of dental assistants worked part-time in 2008.
Industry Areas
- Offices of Dentists
- Offices of Physicians
- Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation)
Day-to-Day Tasks
- Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Record treatment information in patient records.
Overall Kind of Work
Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office and laboratory duties. They sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare and lay out the instruments and materials require...
Work Environment
Military
Dental specialists in the military usually work indoors in dental offices or clinics. Some specialists may be assigned to duty aboard ships.
Status
What is the difference between enlisted and officer?
Enlisted:Enlisted members enter the Military with a high school diploma (in some cases a GED), at a minimum. They are employed in almost every type of military career, often in hands-on roles.
Officers: Officers either enter the Military with a four-year college degree or greater or served previously as enlisted members, and are generally employed in management roles or highly specialized fields that require intensive training.
Officer
Enlisted
Military Breakdown
The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.
2,622 Dental Assistants in the military
Service Branches
Dental Specialists work in the following services:
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People: 
Things:
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness:
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure: