Dental assistants in the dental practice
Who they are, what they do and which devices they use: a research-based profile for recruiting this target group for MedTech and pharma projects.
Overview
Dental assistants work mainly in dental practices as well as in orthodontic and oral or maxillofacial surgery practices. They look after patients before, during and after treatment and assist with dental treatments. In prophylaxis they explain measures against caries and periodontal disease and instruct patients in oral hygiene. They take X-ray images, carry out imaging procedures, implement hygiene measures and reprocess and release medical devices. In addition, they document treatment processes, organise work processes, bill services and check incoming payments. They contribute to quality assurance measures and observe data protection and confidentiality.
Profession by country
Fields of use and typical tasks
ambulante Praxis
Evidence from: DE, AT, CH
- Organise practice operations: schedule treatment appointments and coordinate workflows
- Keep rooms, devices and instruments ready for use
- Assist with examinations and treatments, depending on qualification also in prophylaxis, prosthetic or orthodontic assistance
- Prepare filling and impression materials
- Take X-ray images on instruction
- Look after patients, inform them about prevention and instruct them in oral hygiene
Specializations
Devices and systems they use
Who they work with
- Dentists, including orthodontists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons
Frequently asked questions
Who reprocesses instruments and other medical devices in the dental practice?
Dental assistants. Reprocessing and releasing medical devices is part of their occupational profile.
Who takes the X-ray images?
Taking X-ray images and carrying out imaging procedures are among the tasks of dental assistants.
Who instructs patients in oral hygiene?
Dental assistants explain caries and periodontal prophylaxis and instruct patients in oral hygiene. With the advanced training in dental hygiene they additionally perform professional tooth cleaning and non-surgical periodontal therapy within the scope of delegation.
Who handles billing and documentation?
Dental assistants document treatment processes, bill services and check incoming payments, observing data protection and confidentiality.
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Related target groups
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Sources
- Zahnmedizinischer Fachangestellter / Zahnmedizinische Fachangestellte (Ausbildungsberuf), Berufesuche, Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB) (DE)
- Fortbildungsordnung Bachelor Professional in Dentalhygiene (ZKN), Zahnärztekammer Niedersachsen (DE)
- Zahnmedizinische/r Fachangestellte/r, Steckbrief, Bundesagentur für Arbeit (BERUFENET) (DE)
- Zahnärztliche/r AssistentIn, AMS Berufslexikon, Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich (AMS) (AT)
- Dentalassistentin EFZ | Dentalassistent EFZ: Handlungskompetenzen, Schweizerische Zahnärzte-Gesellschaft SSO, Stabsstelle Praxisteam (CH)
- Table of Dental Auxiliary Duties Delegable by Supervising Dentist, Dental Board of California (US)
- Dental Assistants, Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (US)
- Ohio Revised Code Section 4715.39: Dental assistants and other qualified personnel, State of Ohio, Legislative Service Commission (US)