Dental assistants perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Their clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. Dental assistants also perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

Dental assistants work in Dental offices and community health care facilities. They are required to possess a GED or be a high school graduate and obtain a post-secondary certificate.