3 Things Your Dental Assistant Does in a Typical Day

When people think about whom they’ll talk to during a regular checkup they think about the dentist themselves, or maybe the dental hygienist. What they might not consider, however, is the important role that dental assistants play in running the dental office.

If you want to learn a little more about what dental assistants do from day to day, here’s a guide that may give you some more information about their work.

Prep and Clean Up

You may not think about it, but dozens of people sit in the same dental chair over the course of a day, which means that someone needs to clean up after each patient leaves, and set up the stations for the next one.

Dental assistants do the work of picking up anything left over from the last session, sterilizing instruments, and then bringing in anything that’s needed for the next patient. In the age of COVID, workstations also have to be cleaned thoroughly to ensure the safety of every patient; this is also the task of a dental assistant.

Aiding the Dentist

Dental assistants also aid the dentist directly during various procedures. They’re usually the ones who will take you to the examination room and will have a conversation with you about your needs. They’ll also often take X-rays and gather data that may be useful for the dentist.

During procedures, dental assistants will often hand sterile instruments to the dentist and make use of suction tubes to make the process easier.

Managing the Office

While you’ll see dental assistants often, a lot of the things they do will happen behind the scenes. Between getting supplies, scheduling appointments, and handling claims and billing, there is a myriad of things that dental assistants do in between actually talking to patients. In many ways, they’re the glue that holds the entire practice together!

On top of all this, dental assistants are often the people who pick up the slack from busy dentists and hygienists. Given all that they do, be sure to thank them when you see them at your next dental appointment!

About the Author

Dr. Bob Heil has been a practicing dentist for well over 20 years, and he knows what it takes to help his patients smile brightly. He and his team of incredible dental assistants work hard to connect with his patients personally so that he can tailor his treatment to their unique needs. Dr. Heil received his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Minnesota, and he underwent a General Practice Residency at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.

If you have any questions about what a good dental assistant can do for you, he can be reached at his website or by phone at (920) 235-0320.