Jobs / Healthcare / 31-9091.00
Dental Assistants
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.
- US jobs
- 387,790
- Median wage
- $48,070 a year
- Job family
- Healthcare
Can agents do the work of dental assistants?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Healthcare: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)
Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.
Evidence: MedAgentBench, 69.7% of tasks completed.
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.
- 19%Fabricate medical devicesNot measured
- 13%Maintain health or medical recordsNot measured
- 11%Assist healthcare practitioners during medical proceduresNot measured
- 10%Administer basic health care or medical treatmentsNot measured
- 8%Explain medical information to patients or family membersNot measured
- 8%Clean medical equipment or facilitiesNot measured
- 7%Operate medical equipmentNot measured
- 6%Train others on health or medical topicsNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in healthcare, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
Context only
These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
- Record treatment information in patient records.
- Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
- Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
- Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
- Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
- Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
- Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
- Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
- Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services, complete insurance forms, and maintain records, manually or using computer.
- Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
- Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
Other job titles for this occupation (21)
Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) · Certified Registered Dental Assistant · Dental Assistant (DA) · Expanded Dental Assistant · Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA) · Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) · Oral Surgery Assistant · Orthodontic Assistant (Ortho Assistant) · Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) · Surgical Dental Assistant · Dental Aide · Dental Nurse · Dental Office Assistant · Dental Specialist · Dentist Attendant · Expanded Duties Dental Assistant · Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) · General Practical Dental Assistant · Orthodontic Dental Assistant · Orthodontist Assistant · Pediatric Dental Assistant