1. Good listener
Dental assistants are on the front lines with patients every day. Lending an ear is essential to understanding their questions and concerns!
2. Compassion
Patients are often nervous or scared. The best dental assistants know how to be a calming presence.
3. Being a people person
If you love meeting new people, dental assisting is for you!
4. Perseverance
Dental assisting is not for the faint of heart. It’s ever-changing and can sometimes require long days. If you have determination, you will go far.
5. Strong work ethic
Sometimes dental assistants work long hours with few breaks. But the best assistants find it rewarding and energizing!
6. Dedication
There will be some tough days. The dental assistants who are dedicated know how to take it in stride and find joy in providing patient care.
7. Reliability
If you don’t show up, the office might just fall apart. Just kidding (but not really).
8. Organization
In this profession, you need to be prepared for anything! From getting exam rooms ready to tracking inventory and scheduling appointments, dental assistants need strong organizational skills.
9. Anticipation
Do you know how to read minds? Dentists will be amazed and impressed with how you know what they need before they do!
10. Multitasking
Dental assistants say they do it all — and often they do it all at the same time!

Common tasks performed by dental assistants include:

Patient preparation,Sterilization of instruments,Chairside assistance,Taking and processing X-rays,Impressions,Dental charting,Educating patients,Applying sealants and fluoride treatments,Preparing and maintaining dental materials,Front office duties,Infection control,Assisting with anesthesia administration,Taking and recording vital signs,Equipment maintenance,Laboratory work.