--- title: What is a Dental Assistant url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/what-is-a-dental-assistant/" type: page date_published: 2025-08-19 date_modified: 2025-11-18 schema: @type: WebPage language: en-US word_count: 863 reading_time: 5 min canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/what-is-a-dental-assistant/" --- # What is a Dental Assistant ![](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/themes/arizona-college/assets/svg/hero-bars.svg) # What is a Dental Assistant Classes begin April 27th ![Icon for how to become a dental assistant](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/icon-dental-assistant-3.svg?w=1024) [Dental Assistant](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/) ![Icon for Dental Assistant Program](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/icon-dental-assistant-2.svg?w=1024) [What’s an Assistant?](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/what-is-a-dental-assistant/) ![Icon for Healthcare School Near Me](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/icon-descriptions-2.svg?w=1024) [Course Description](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/course-descriptions/) ## Dental Assistant Duties and Responsibilities Dental assistant responsibilities can include clinical (back office), administrative (front office), and other special projects or lab tasks within the dental office. To a large extent, the size and specialty of the dental practice determines the day-to-day job duties the dental assistant performs. ![ABHES Accredited Dental Assistant School](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/logo-abhes.png) _All Arizona College campuses are institutionally accredited by the [Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)](http://www.abhes.org/), a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency._ Dental assistants work alongside dentists and dental hygienists to provide patient care during procedures and examinations. Their chairside tasks include handing instruments to the dentist and keeping patient’s mouths clean and dry with suction devices. ![Dental Assistant Program students at Arizona College](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Arizona-College-Healthcare-Careers-20-e1635359697947.webp?w=1024) ![Dental Assistant School healthcare career program students in lab](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Arizona-College-Healthcare-Careers-19.webp?w=1024) ![Dental Assistant school student at Arizona College](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Arizona-College-Healthcare-Careers-16.webp?w=1024) ## Dental Assistant Jobs and Work Environments Dental assistants work in well-lit, clean environments. They often work chairside during dental procedures so they can keep the patient comfortable and hand materials, instruments, and medication to the dentist as needed. Dental assistants wear protective equipment such as gloves, eye-wear, and masks to prevent infections and cross contamination. If a career as a dental assistant appeals to you, enroll in the  [dental assistant program](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/how-to-become-a-dental-assistant/)  at Arizona College’s  [Mesa](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/mesa-campus/) or  [Glendale](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/glendale-campus/)  campus. Our hands-on training, which includes a clinical externship component, prepares you for success. Alumni of Arizona College’s Dental Assisting program are also encouraged to pursue dental assistant certification after graduating. - General Practice Offices - Pediatric Offices - Cosmetic Dentistry Offices - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Offices - Orthodontic Offices - Dental Laboratories ## Dental assistant clinical tasks (back office) and duties may include: - Charting dental histories and any new conditions or symptoms - Preparing tray set-ups for dental examinations or procedures - Sterilizing tools and equipment - Performing suture removal - Cleaning and polishing removable dental appliances - Preparing compounds for making impressions and restorations - Constructing temporary crowns and bridges - Taking x-rays (only with a radiology certificate) ## Administrative (front office) tasks that dental assistants perform may include: - Checking in patients, including greeting, verifying insurance coverage, and collecting payments - Answering the telephone - Scheduling and confirming appointments - Using computer applications to process patient records - Billing, coding, and processing insurance information for patients - Obtaining dental records - Handling correspondence - Organizing and filing patient medical records - Maintaining inventory, as well as ordering dental supplies and materials ## Guide to Becoming a Dental Assistant Explore our resources on dental assistant certification and key terms to help you succeed. ![Icon for How do I become a certified dental assistant](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WEB_ScheduleTEAS.svg) #### 󠀁[How do I become a certified dental assistant?](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/dental-assistant-certification/)󠁿 ![Icon for how do I learn dental assistant terms](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WEB_ReadingComprehension-1.svg) #### 󠀁[How do I learn dental assistant terms?](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/dental-assistant/glossary-of-terms-dental-assistant/)󠁿 ![Icon for how do I start my healthcare career](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WEB_AnatomyPhysiology-1.svg) #### 󠀁[How do I start my healthcare career?](https://arizonacollege.edu/healthcare-careers/)󠁿 ![Dental Assistant Tray with Tools](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dental-tray.webp) ## What is the role of a Dental Assistant? It is also important that dental assistants possess professional “soft” skills required to communicate effectively between the dentist, the patient, and the other dental office team members. They may teach patients general oral hygiene tips for maintaining oral health or communicate post-operative instructions to them. Many times, patients are extremely nervous to visit the dental office and have dental procedures completed. It is important for dental assistants to be able to help keep patients calm and comfortable, so the dentist can perform procedures as needed. ## Start Your Journey as a Dental Assistant Today Complete a request for information form to connect with the admissions team at Arizona College. They’ll happily assist you with any questions you may have. Keep people smiling; take your first step toward your new dental assisting career and contact Arizona College today!