TUT Dental Assistant
TUT Dental Assistant
What does a dental assistant do?
Dental assistants prepare patients for oral examination and assist other dental workers, such as dentists, dental therapists and dental hygienists, in providing treatment to the teeth, mouth and gums. Dental assistants also carry out reception and administration duties. Under the dentist’s direction, some dental assistants prepare materials for making impressions and restorations, expose radiographs, and process dental X-ray film.
Dental assistants may perform the following tasks: receive patients and prepare them for necessary dental procedures; record findings from oral examinations; provide instruments and dispense materials during oral examinations or treatments; provide pre- and post-operative instructions for patients undergoing general or local anaesthesia; clear the patient’s mouth of saliva or dental materials used in the treatment by operating handheld equipment; clean and sterilise instruments and surgery after treatment; maintain and re-stock dental supplies; make appointments for patients, keep records of patients’ treatments and send out reminders for re-examinations; prepare accounts and collect payments; carry out other office duties.
The dental assistant is responsible for assisting dentists in dental practices or clinics and plays an important role in infection control, mixing and preparing dental materials, providing patients with information on oral hygiene and developing and mounting X-rays. They also keep record of patients, deal with appointments and assist with stock control and accounts.