dental assistant

Overview

Languages

English

Education

• College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma from a program of 3 months to less than 1 year

Experience

2 years to less than 3 years

On site

Work must be completed at the physical location. There is no option to work remotely.

Work setting

• Dental practice

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Prepare patients for dental examinations
• Order dental and office supplies
• Perform administrative functions for the dental laboratory
• Prepare dental instruments and filling materials
• Maintain and order supplies
• Sterilize and maintain instruments and equipment
• Educate patients concerning oral hygiene
• Prepare wax bite-blocks and impression trays
• Take and develop X-rays
• Record dental procedures performed on patients
• Take preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts
• Take dental impressions
• Clean and sterilize the operating room and instruments
• Operate computerized scanning machines
• Operate X-ray, radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment
• Computer-aided design (CAD)

Credentials

Certificates, licences, memberships, and courses

• Registration with provincial or territorial authorities

Additional information

Work conditions and physical capabilities

• Fast-paced environment
• Repetitive tasks
• Attention to detail
• Combination of sitting, standing, walking
• Large workload

Personal suitability

• Client focus
• Efficient interpersonal skills
• Flexibility
• Judgement
• Team player
• Accurate
• Dependability
• Excellent oral communication
• Initiative
• Interpersonal awareness
• Reliability

Benefits

Health benefits

• Dental plan

Financial benefits

• Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)