Dental Assistants
SOC: 31-9091.00 · Job Zone 3 (Medium preparation)
Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$47,300
per year
Mean Wage
$48,860
per year
Employment
375K
workers
Wage Range
$36,190 - $61,780
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Task Breakdown
16 tasks analyzed
Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
Record treatment information in patient records.
Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
Clean teeth, using dental instruments.
Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory.
Fabricate and fit orthodontic appliances and materials for patients, such as retainers, wires, or bands.
Fabricate temporary restorations or custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
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.
Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
Clean and polish removable appliances.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures. | - | - | - | |
| Record treatment information in patient records. | - | - | - | |
| Expose dental diagnostic x-rays. | - | - | - | |
| Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients. | - | - | - | |
| Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies. | - | - | - | |
| Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist. | - | - | - | |
| Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs. | - | - | - | |
| Clean teeth, using dental instruments. | - | - | - | |
| Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory. | - | - | - | |
| Fabricate and fit orthodontic appliances and materials for patients, such as retainers, wires, or bands. | - | - | - | |
| Fabricate temporary restorations or custom impressions from preliminary impressions. | - | - | - | |
| 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. | - | - | - | |
| Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth. | - | - | - | |
| Clean and polish removable appliances. | - | - | - |
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