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Dental Assistants Go Back to List
Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.
 Technology used in this occupation:
 
  • Electronic mail software
  •  Tasks
     
  • Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures.
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  • Expose dental diagnostic x-rays.
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  • Record treatment information in patient records.
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  • Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
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  • Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
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  • Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
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  • Pour, trim, and polish study casts.
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  • Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
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  • Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
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  • Clean and polish removable appliances.
  •  Skills
     
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
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  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  •  Knowledge
     
  • Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
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  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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  • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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  • Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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  • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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  • Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
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  • Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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  • Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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  • Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  •  Search for Jobs on Connecticut's Labor Exchange (CTJOBcentral)
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     Education & Training
      Education:   Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
      Related Experience:   Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
      View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site.
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     Wage Information
     
    Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range 
    Annual  Hourly 
    Statewide $51,118.00 $24.57  $19.53  $22.63 - $27.85 
    Bridgeport/Stamford $52,251.00 $25.12  $20.57  $24.32 - $26.84 
    Danbury $49,788.00 $23.94  $18.83  $22.80 - $28.42 
    Hartford $51,035.00 $24.54  $20.16  $22.91 - $25.75 
    New Haven $50,138.00 $24.10  $17.37  $17.78 - $29.05 
    New London/Norwich $50,066.00 $24.07  $19.68  $22.67 - $27.09 
    Waterbury $51,633.00 $24.82  $20.19  $23.06 - $29.12 
    Torrington $51,179.00 $24.61  $19.00  $22.37 - $27.54 
     Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 )
    Average Annual Job Openings:   626
      Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.
    ONET Resource Center Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
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