Job Description

What Are the Responsibilities of a Dental Assistant?


The average Chairside Dental Assistant will be responsible for:

  • Making patients as comfortable as possible in the dental operatory.
  • Preparing patients for treatment.
  • Obtaining dental records.
  • Passing instruments to the dentist.
  • Keeping patient’s mouth dry by using air suction and other devices.
  • Sterilizing and disinfecting instruments and other dental equipment.
  • Prepare tray setups for dental procedures as needed.
  • Instructing patients on postoperative and general oral health care.


  • Prepare materials for making impressions and restorations.
  • Expose radiographs and process dental x-ray film as directed by the Dentist.
  • Remove dental sutures (Excludes wire sutures in Alabama).
  • Apply topical anesthetic to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth.
  • Remove excess cement used in crown and bridge procedures.
  • Setting up patient exam rooms.
  • Place rubber dams on teeth for individual isolation.


Other Duties of Dental Assistants

The Average Dental Assistant with Laboratory Duties will be responsible for:

  • Making casts of the patient’s mouth and teeth by using dental impressions.
  • Cleaning and polishing removable appliances.
  • Making temporary crowns.
  • Making casting molds


The Average Dental Assistant with Office Duties will be responsible for:

  • Answering office phones.
  • Scheduling and confirming patient appointments.
  • Greeting and receiving patients.
  • Filing patient records.
  • Updating patient treatment records.
  • Financial services.
  • Ordering clinic supplies and materials.
  • Performing data entry.
  • Managing office finances.


Contact Us

Send Us an Email

The C.A.P. Stone Building

Located within Vestavia Family Dentistry & Facial Aesthetics

Hours of Operation

Office Schedule & Saturday Class Hours

Monday:

7:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

7:00 am-12:00 pm

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

8:00 am-3:30 pm

Sunday:

Closed