Clinical dental assistant jobs vary based on the dental office and the state your work in. Typical duties include preparing patients for treatment, sterilizing tools, instructing on proper dental hygiene, passing instruments to the dentist during procedures, keeping records of treatments, scheduling appointments and processing x-rays.

Most clinical dental assistant training programs can be completed in one year or less. This does not include the time you will spend working in an externship or similar position to gain experience in the field. It also does not include the required two years of work experience you will need to become certified.

To become a Certified Dental Assistant, you will need to pass the three components of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Certification Exam and meet the Board’s work experience requirements.

You will need to pass the Radiation Health and Safety, Infection Control, and General Chairside components of the DANB Certification Exam as well as complete at least two years of work experience (or a minimum of 3,500 hours accrued over a two to four year period).

Most dental assistants work a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week, however there are some dental assistants that work part-time. Many of the hours will be worked during the day, but depending on your dental office, you may be asked to work some evenings or weekends.

Almost all clinical dental assistants work in dental offices under the supervision of dentists, though some may find employment with the government or in physicians’ offices.

Dental assistants work very closely with dental hygienists. In this position, you will be on your feet for large portions of the day and wear surgical masks, safety goggles, gloves, and protective clothing to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

No, a dental assistant and a dental hygienist are not the same. A dental assistant directly supports a dentist with small, supervised jobs performed on patients’ teeth and administrative tasks in the office.

A dental hygienist will work one-on-one with patients with less supervision. A dental assistant can practice after earning a dental assistant training certificate while a dental hygienist must obtain an associate degree in dental hygiene at minimum.

OVERVIEW OF THE DENTAL PROFESSION
Introduction to the Practice of Dentistry

DENTAL HEALTH AND DISEASE
Oral health and preventative techniques; etiology of dental disease

ANATOMY and PHYSIOLOGY
Basic human physiology, embryology and histology; head and neck anatomy

INFECTION CONTROL
Microbiology, infection control and managing hazardous materials

BASICS OF DENTAL ASSISTING
Patient care, dental charting and pharmacology; anesthesia and sedation, chair-side assisting and dental instruments and tray setups

RADIOLOGY
Producing and processing quality radiographs; extraoral and digital radiography

DENTAL MATERIALS
Dental cements, bases, liners, and bonding agents; restorative materials, dental dams, matrix, and wedges

DENTAL ASSISTING IN THE SPECIALTY PRACTICE
Oral pathology and maxillofacial surgery; endodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and prosthodontics

DENTAL OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Records management; administrative techniques