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HealthcareISCO 3251

Dental chairside assistant

A dental chairside assistant is a person who supports a dentist during clinical treatment: carrying out the preparatory work, assisting at the chair while a procedure is under way, helping with the follow-up afterwards, and handling administrative tasks, all under the dentist's supervision and on the dentist's instruction.

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Check yourself in a minute: dental chairside assistant

Rate 5 of the 34 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

respond to changing situations in health care

educate on the prevention of illness

prepare dental instruments for sterilization

observe patient throughout dental treatment

use e-health and mobile health technologies

About dental chairside assistant

Preparation and assisting are the core. The assistant looks after the dental operatory and its surroundings, prepares the materials each procedure needs so they are ready at the moment they are called for, and works at the chair while the dentist's hands are occupied. Mixing a material too early or too late changes how it sets, so timing is part of the skill rather than a detail.

Clinical tasks extend beyond assisting. The assistant takes dental radiographs, applies e-health and m-health technologies in the practice records and imaging, and is able to act in an emergency arising during care.

Working with patients is also part of the job. The assistant interacts with people using the service, builds a collaborative therapeutic relationship with patients, and works to the healthcare regulations governing hygiene, records and consent.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (34)

respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...prepare dental instruments for sterilizationprepare dental instruments for sterilizationCorrectly transport, clean and sterilise dental instruments, packing the instruments appropriately for sterilisation and storing them properly after the procedure.observe patient throughout dental treatmentobserve patient throughout dental treatmentMonitor patient's behavior during the provided dental treatment, so as to react rapidly in cases of negative reactions, under the supervision of the dental practitioner.promote health and safety policies in health servicespromote health and safety policies in health servicesPromote adherence to local, regional, national and EU Health and Safety legislation, policies, guidelines and protocols.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...provide dental administrative post-treatment patient servicesprovide dental administrative post-treatment patient servicesProvide patient services post-treatment such as cleaning the patient`s face and mouth, checking the patient`s general condition, assisting patient as needed, relaying instructions on medication and ot...deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.prepare materials for dental proceduresprepare materials for dental proceduresPrepare dental materials such as cements, amalgam, composite, and impression materials as requested by the dentist, mixing materials for impressions and restorations and assembling syringes for anaest...provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.deal with patients' anxietydeal with patients' anxietyRecognise and handle the fears of patients undergoing a dental treatment.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.fabricate mouth modelsfabricate mouth modelsFabricate, trim and polish plaster and stone models of the mouth and teeth, working from impressions taken by a dental clinician.perform dental chartingperform dental chartingCreate a dental chart of the patient`s mouth in order to provide information on tooth decay, cavities, missing teeth, the depths of gum pockets, abnormalities in teeth such as rotations, erosion or ab...educate on oral healthcare and disease preventioneducate on oral healthcare and disease preventionEducate patients on improving oral healthcare and preventing dental diseases, promoting brushing, flossing, and all other aspects of dental care according to the dentist`s directions and under the den...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.follow dentists' instructionsfollow dentists' instructionsWork directly with dentists by following their detailed instuctions.manage infection control in the facilitymanage infection control in the facilityImplement a set of measures to prevent and control infections, formulating and establishing health and safety procedures and policies.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.pass dental instrumentspass dental instrumentsPass the appropriate dental instruments to dentists as requested and in a timely manner, employing proper techniques and dexterity in passing these materials to and retrieving them from the dentist.prepare patients for dental treatmentprepare patients for dental treatmentSeat and drape the patient, explaining treatment procedures to patient if required.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...maintain dental station and operatorymaintain dental station and operatoryMaintain the dental station or operatory area in a clean, orderly and functional condition, sorting and storing instruments, linens, medications, and other supplies, and oiling and cleaning equipment ...work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.perform dental radiographsperform dental radiographsTake and develop dental radiographs or x-rays for patients, by properly positioning the patient and film/image receptor to take intra- and extra-oral radiographs, applying all regulations for patient ...assist the dentist during the dental treatment procedureassist the dentist during the dental treatment procedureActively participate in the treatment procedure to retract tissue, tongue and cheek. Keep area clear and prevent saliva build-up and debris in the patient`s mouth by using a suction tip and oral evacu...accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
Optional (6) — show
perform multiple tasks at the same timeperform multiple tasks at the same timeExecute multiple tasks at the same time, being aware of key priorities.inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.record healthcare users' billing informationrecord healthcare users' billing informationRecord the healthcare user`s information for the billing of provided medical services.use technical equipment for sterilisationuse technical equipment for sterilisationWork with technical equipment and machinery such as steam sterilisers to clean and disinfect equipment and devices.handle payments in dentistryhandle payments in dentistryHandle taxes, paychecks and insurance payments for the provided dental services.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

dental hygienist24 shared essential skillsdental practitioner21 shared essential skillsadvanced physiotherapist19 shared essential skillsphysiotherapist19 shared essential skillsaudiologist18 shared essential skillsmusic therapist18 shared essential skillsnurse responsible for general care18 shared essential skillsorthoptist18 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a dental chairside assistant do?

Dental chairside assistants support dental practitioners in clinical treatments, as preparation and helping in practical execution and follow-up, and administrative tasks under supervision and following the orders of the dental practitioner.

What skills does a dental chairside assistant need?

A dental chairside assistant needs 34 essential skills, including respond to changing situations in health care, educate on the prevention of illness, prepare dental instruments for sterilization, observe patient throughout dental treatment, promote health and safety policies in health services.

Will AI replace dental chairside assistant jobs?

The AI disruption score for dental chairside assistant is 17/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: record healthcare users' billing information, handle payments in dentistry, comply with legislation related to health care. Most resilient: empathise with the healthcare user, deal with emergency care situations, develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship.

Quick Facts

SectorHealthcare
ISCO GroupHealth associate professionals
Essential Skills34

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