Occupational Employment Statistics
31-9091 Dental Assistants
Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.
Southwest Minnesota
| 310 | 30 | $26.27/hr | $23.50/hr | $24.66/hr | $25.21/hr | $29.91/hr | $31.54/hr |
Professional and Business Services | N/A | N/A |
Education and Health Services | 5,180 | $26.45/hr |
Public Administration | 110 | $27.88/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.