1. Place barrier protection
2. Review patient dental chart
3. Review dental treatment procedures
4. Check dental equipment
5. Arrange dental materials for procedure
6. Arrange dental instrument tray for procedure
7. Sharpen dental instruments

1. Seat patient (e.g. greet, walk to room, place bib)
2. Update patient medical/dental history
3. Take patient vital signs
4. Inform patient of procedure
5. Respond to patient questions and concerns

1. Take (expose) dental radiograph (X-ray)
2. Develop dental radiograph (X-ray)
3. Mount dental radiograph (X-ray)
4. Report patient status to dentist
5. Record dental charting
6. Take impressions (e.g. bleaching tray, mouth guards, crowns, study models, temporaries)
7. Select tooth color shade
8. Adjust operatory light (e.g. position, dim)
9. Place topical anesthetic
10. Pass instruments (e.g. 4-handed dentistry)
11. Evacuate oral cavity
12. Retract tongue and cheek
13. Rinse mouth with water
14. Dry tooth with air
15. Place rubber dam
16. Place matrix band
17. Change dental hand piece burs
18. Place (pack) retraction cord
19. Mix materials for procedure (e.g. cement, impressions, filling)
20. Light cure materials
21. Adjust occlusion
22. Seat temporary crown
23. Clean denture
24. Assess patient's comfort
25. Record treatment procedures on chart

1. Maintain personal vaccinations (e.g. hepatitis A&B, TB tine)
2. Change barrier protection
3. Dispose of sharps (e.g. needles, scalpel, suture needles, burs, carpules)
4. Dispose of biohazard
5. Sterilize dental instruments
6. Disinfect operator
7. Prevent cross-contamination (e.g. PPE, disposable materials)
8. Change solutions (e.g. cold sterile, autoclave, ultrasonic)
9. Disinfect lab cases/models
10. Maintain evacuation systems (e.g. change traps, run solutions)
11. Maintain clean work environment (e.g. sweep, mop & dust)
12. Monitor autoclave operation

1. Adjust prosthetic devices
2. Re-line dentures
3. Pour impressions & study diagnostic models
4. Trim models (e.g. study and diagnostic)
5. Create stints from models (e.g. bleaching trays, mouth guards, fluoride treatment, and traps)
6. Prepare lab prescriptions
7. Create temporary crowns
8. Replenish lab materials
9. Adjust dental appliances (e.g. retainer, space maintainer)
10. Prepare wax tray-ins (e.g. partials and dentures)
11. Create orthodontic appliances
12. Create customer impressions tray
13. Disinfect dental lab
14. Prepare cast crowns
15. Change plastic traps
16. Maintain dental lathe
17. Maintain model trimmer
18. Clean alginate trays
19. Pumice finished product

1. Comfort patient (e.g. hold hand, tissue, converse)
2. Notify patient of recall appointment
3. Assist in patient referral (e.g. endodontist, oral surgeon)
4. Instruct patient on pre/post-operative care
5. Instruct on pre and post treatment medications
6. Provide oral hygiene instructions (e.g. brush, floss, disclosing solutions)
7. Provide patient education (e.g. explain crown, root canal, perio disease)
8. Inform patient on continuing care
9. Show image of teeth (e.g. intra-oral, digital, X-ray)

1. Assist in maintaining patient charts
2. Maintain recall card system
3. Assist with filing dental insurance
4. Assist with dental appointments (e.g. schedule, confirm)
5. Assist with processing billing statements
6. Assist with patient treatment & cost estimates
7. Confirm cases with lab (e.g. partials, crowns)
8. Process patient payment transactions
9. Organize bills to be paid by the doctor (e.g. lab, dental supply)
10. Assist with incoming calls
11. Call-in patient prescriptions

1. Inventory dental supplies
2. Order dental supplies
3. Check-in dental supplies
4. Organize dental supplies
5. Restock with dental supplies

Identify early developments and major contributors to dentistry from early times through the Renaissance period. Identify members of the dental health team. List the various tasks that may be performed by the auxiliary personnel. Explain the personal qualifications required of a dental assistant. Describe the different areas of a dental office and the role of the dental assistant in each of these areas.

Define, pronounce, and use dental terminology correctly. Know the anatomy of the mouth and identify various parts of the mouth, neck, and throat. Describe the structure of the tooth. Name the types of teeth, their functions, surfaces, and classification as either anterior or posterior teeth.

State the primary goal of preventive dentistry. Discuss dental plaque and calculus and their role in causing dental disease. Explain the use of fluorides. Explain how to instruct a patient in home-care techniques. Explain the role of nutrition in preventive dentistry

Identify the types of questions asked on the medical and dental history forms. List medical conditions and their importance in dental treatment. Explain what vital signs are, how to take them, and how to record the results. Use and interpret the different charting symbols. Identify permanent (adult) and deciduous (baby) teeth using three different systems. Explain Black’s system of cavity classification.

Describe the basics of dental jurisprudence and ethical behavior. Describe what constitutes malpractice. Discuss the elements and principles of ethical decision making. Think critically about ethical issues in dentistry. Describe what HIPAA is, its purpose, and noncompliance penalties. Explain the differences between privacy, confidentiality, and security.

Identify and understand the use of the major pieces of equipment found in a dental operatory. Explain the correct seated position of the operator and assistant at chairside. Demonstrate how to pass instruments in the position of use. Recognize at least 10 hand instruments and explain their functions. Describe the major functions of rotary instruments, both high and low speeds. Explain the moisture control procedures and their purpose.

Describe three types of microorganisms that are of concern in the dental setting. List the two most common classifications of bacteria found in the oral cavity. Define many terms related to oral pathology. Name the most common emergencies in dental offices. Help the dental team deal with many types of emergencies.

Define cleanliness, decontamination, disinfection, and sterilization. Explain the Universal Precautions that are to be taken with every patient. Explain the protective barriers used in the treatment room. Identify the preferred means of sterilization and/or disinfection for items and equipment found in the dental office. Describe proper hand-washing and gloving procedures.

Explain the OSHA regulations relating to the dental office. Develop a plan to implement the bloodborne pathogens standard. Understand infection control requirements. Explain how to evaluate workplace hazards. Discuss how to conduct an OSHA training session. Describe critical dental office protective procedures and hazard management

List the hazards and benefits of x-rays. Describe cell radiosensitivity and the effects of radiation on cells. Define the ALARA principle. List the three types of radiation produced by the machine and their hazards. Discuss dental film sizes, speeds, components, and storage. Discuss the types of dental radiographs, why each is taken, and the legal aspects of dental films.

Describe the properties of a quality diagnostic radiograph. Discuss how to prevent common faults in radiographs. Describe how to expose radiographs using the bisecting angle technique. Describe the procedures used to expose extraoral films. Discuss infection control procedures used in the radiographic process. Describe the manual, automatic, and instant processing methods for radiographs.

Describe the use of drugs in the dental practice. Discuss the legalities and precautions of handling drugs in the dental office. Explain the components and uses of topical and local anesthetic agents. Specify the different methods of administering local anesthesia. Explain how to prepare an anesthetic syringe and detail the methods of safely recapping after use. Describe the use of nitrous oxide, and list the hazards and precautions in its use.

Discuss both the factors that affect dental materials and the properties of dental materials. Distinguish between the different types of dental cements and discuss their use. Describe dental amalgam, including its components and mixing procedures. Identify the principles of cavity preparation and the different cavity classifications. Explain the purpose of a matrix band, retainer, and wedge. List the steps for completing an amalgam restoration. Explain what a composite material is, its use, and setting methods.

Compare impression materials that are used in the dental office. Explain the water/powder ratio, setting time, setting expansion, and final strength of each type of dental gypsum product. Explain the characteristics and uses of inlay, baseplate, sticky, boxing, and utility waxes. Explain how to construct a custom tray, its purpose, and the materials used. Explain the purpose of a bite registration. Describe how to trim a stone or plaster cast for general and orthodontic uses.

Describe the types and causes of pulpitis and other endodontic conditions. List the methods used to diagnose endodontic conditions. Recognize the most common endodontic instruments. Define the types of endodontic procedures. Identify the location and significance of the tissues of the periodontium. Specify the different forms of periodontal disease. Describe the procedures involved in initial periodontal. Recognize periodontal surgical instruments. Explain the importance of maintenance and plaque control in periodontal therapy

Define pediatric dentistry. Describe the office and instruments used in pediatric dentistry offices. Explain emergency procedures in the pediatric dentist’s office. Identify the office, instruments, and procedures used in an orthodontic practice. Outline the principles of tooth movement, banding, retainers, and other appliances.

List the procedures performed in a prosthodontic office. Describe the different types of appliances used in the mouth. Explain the procedures performed in oral surgery, the instruments used, and the importance of infection control.

Explain what “first impression” means to the public entering your office. Develop communication skills and problem-solving techniques. Explain the techniques used to greet the patients. Describe the eight levels of relating to others. Identify eight ways to resolve conflict. Describe how to monitor and assess dental fears.

Describe the proper way to greet a patient in person and on the telephone. Name the types of filing systems. Outline different methods for recalling patients for checkups and follow-up care. Define the terms accounts receivable and accounts payable bookkeeping. List the five parts of a bookkeeping system. List three guidelines for storing supplies.

Explain the key components of a uniform. List some of the professional organizations of which you may become a member. Write a cover letter and a résumé. Describe the elements of a professional appearance.

Schedule and view appointments. Arrange payment plans. Create insurance claims. Create a Perio Chart. Scan and view images. Manage patients’ accounts. Send an e-claim.