Occupational Employment Statistics
31-9091 Dental Assistants
Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.
Northwest Minnesota
| 560 | 45 | $27.80/hr | $23.06/hr | $24.04/hr | $28.91/hr | $29.87/hr | $30.36/hr |
Professional and Business Services | 120 | $37.33/hr |
Education and Health Services | 5,370 | $31.60/hr |
Public Administration | 100 | $29.94/hr |
- 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.
- Clean teeth, using dental instruments.
- Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
- Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
- Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
- Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
- Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.