What does a dental assistant do?

Dental assistants generally care for patients at dental offices, orthodontic practices and dental surgery centers. They set up exam rooms, assist during cleanings and hold dental instruments during procedures. Having a dental assistant perform clinical duties helps dentists increase efficiency and provide quality care.

Dental assistants also perform clerical duties, such as updating charts, processing insurance paperwork and sending appointment reminders. This can help a dental practice improve patient communication and increase its reimbursement rates.

Dental assistant skills and qualifications

Strong candidates often demonstrate interpersonal, communication and attention-to-detail skills, which may be important for success in this role. Teamwork and active listening are also valuable competencies that set top candidates apart.

Skills commonly listed in dental assistant job description templates include:

• Excellent customer service skills to support a positive customer experience
• Knowledge of oral health principles, including brushing techniques and terminology 
• Experience using dental instruments and equipment, including dental chairs and scalers
• Proficiency in taking X-rays
• Competence in educating patients about their dental health, such as ways to reduce plaque
• Ability to use scheduling software and other dental practice technology, such as Dentrix or Curve Dental

Dental assistant experience requirements

If your company has a skills-first hiring strategy, consider searching for candidates with experience providing customer service, helping patients feel comfortable and communicating effectively.

Candidates may gain these transferable skills from other roles and apply them to a dental practice environment. For example, a candidate may excel at working with patients due to their experience as a medical receptionist or patient advocate.

Dental assistant education and training requirements

Dental assistants may have some formal education, such as a certificate or a degree, but they can generally learn the required skills through on-the-job training. Candidates may become proficient with practice management software through online courses. For example, a candidate may understand how to use Dentrix after completing an educational webinar.

Depending on the location of your practice, you may hire a candidate who has one of the certifications offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). These certifications help validate a candidate’s knowledge of dental procedures, infection control and other relevant topics.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this dental assistant job description doesn’t align with your needs, check out these other sample job descriptions for similar positions:

• Dental hygienist
• Dental office manager
• Medical receptionist