# Dental Assistants

> Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 31-9091.00
- **Summary:** Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.

## Aliases

- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
- Dental Assistant (DA)
- Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA)
- Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
- Certified Registered Dental Assistant
- Expanded Dental Assistant
- Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA)
- Oral Surgery Assistant
- Orthodontic Assistant (Ortho Assistant)
- Surgical Dental Assistant
- Dental Aide
- Dental Nurse

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prepare patient, sterilize or disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, or assist dentist during dental procedures. | Core | 4.A.3.a.1.i |
| Record treatment information in patient records. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.k |
| Assist dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Order and monitor dental supplies and equipment inventory. | Core | 4.A.4.c.3.g |
| Expose dental diagnostic x-rays. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.d |
| Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist. | Core | 4.A.4.a.1.e |
| Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs. | Core | 4.A.4.b.3.f |
| Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.w |
| Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth. | Core | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services, complete insurance forms, and maintain records, manually or using computer. | Core | 4.A.2.b.5.c |
| Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.q |
| Pour, trim, and polish study casts. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.q |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Inventory medical supplies or equipment. | 4.A.4.c.3.g |
| Make patient-assistive devices or device models. | 4.A.3.a.2.q |
| Fit patients for assistive devices. | 4.A.4.a.5.f |
| Clean medical equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.i |
| Prepare medical instruments or equipment for use. | 4.A.3.a.2.k |
| Assist practitioners to perform medical procedures. | 4.A.4.a.5.k |
| Operate medical equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.d |
| Maintain medical records. | 4.A.3.b.6.k |
| Interview patients to gather medical information. | 4.A.1.a.1.w |
| Record vital statistics or other health information. | 4.A.3.b.6.k |
| Explain technical medical information to patients. | 4.A.4.a.1.e |
| Teach medical procedures or medical equipment use to patients. | 4.A.4.b.3.f |
| Administer basic health care or medical treatments. | 4.A.4.a.5.c |
| Schedule patient procedures or appointments. | 4.A.2.b.5.c |
| Process medical billing information. | 4.A.4.c.1.c |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Customer and Personal Service | knowledge | 4.54 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | knowledge | 4.41 |
| Near Vision | ability | 4.12 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 4 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.88 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.88 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.76 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.75 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.5 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.47 |
| Administrative | knowledge | 3.45 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.38 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.32 |
| Sales and Marketing | knowledge | 3.31 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.25 |
| Active Learning | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Instructing | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Service Orientation | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.12 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.12 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.12 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.12 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.12 |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.06 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3 |
| Time Sharing | ability | 3 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | knowledge | 2.93 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 2.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | transferable_skill | 2.88 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Open Dental | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Email Software | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Medical Software | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Accounting Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Henry Schein Dentrix | Medical software | yes | yes |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Email software | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| Kodak Dental Systems Kodak SOFTDENT Practice management software PMS | Medical software | no | no |
| Open Dental | Medical software | no | no |
| Patterson Dental Supply Patterson EagleSoft | Medical software | no | no |
| Quicken | Accounting software | no | no |
| The Systems Workplace TDOCS | Medical software | no | no |
| Web browser software | Internet browser software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.88 |
| Contact With Others | 4.81 |
| Physical Proximity | 4.77 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.6 |
| Telephone Conversations | 4.5 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 4.47 |
| Exposed to Radiation | 4.46 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.42 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.37 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.31 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 4.3 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 3.96 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.93 |
| E-Mail | 3.86 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 3.85 |
| Deal With External Customers or the Public in General | 3.82 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 3.8 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.73 |
| Exposed to Disease or Infections | 3.69 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.69 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 3.68 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.68 |
| Conflict Situations | 3.54 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.52 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.44 |
| Time Pressure | 3.44 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.34 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.32 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 3.32 |
| Public Speaking | 3.19 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 3.11 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 3.1 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 3.05 |
| Consequence of Error | 3 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 2.83 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.6 |
| Spend Time Sitting | 2.58 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 2.45 |
| Level of Competition | 2.35 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 2.11 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 3
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- **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.
- **Svp Range:** (6.0 to < 7.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 46.04 |
| High School Diploma | 28.61 |
| Some College Courses | 17.06 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 8.29 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Health Care Service | specific_interest_area | 6.01 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 5.43 |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 4.48 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 4.37 |
| Dependability | work_style | 4 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 3.55 |
| Office Work | specific_interest_area | 3.1 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 3 |
| Personal Service | specific_interest_area | 2.86 |
| Teaching/Education | specific_interest_area | 2.51 |
| Accounting | specific_interest_area | 2.49 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 2.48 |
| Cooperation | work_style | 2.43 |
| Medical Science | specific_interest_area | 2.35 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 2.06 |
| Social Service | specific_interest_area | 1.97 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 29-1292.00 | role-29-1292-00 | Dental Hygienists | Primary-Short |
| 31-9092.00 | role-31-9092-00 | Medical Assistants | Primary-Short |
| 29-2057.00 | role-29-2057-00 | Ophthalmic Medical Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 29-9093.00 | role-29-9093-00 | Surgical Assistants | Primary-Short |
| 31-9099.02 | role-31-9099-02 | Endoscopy Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 51-9081.00 | role-51-9081-00 | Dental Laboratory Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 29-2055.00 | role-29-2055-00 | Surgical Technologists | Primary-Long |
| 29-2099.05 | role-29-2099-05 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | Primary-Long |
| 29-2056.00 | role-29-2056-00 | Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 31-2022.00 | role-31-2022-00 | Physical Therapist Aides | Primary-Long |
| 29-1021.00 | role-29-1021-00 | Dentists, General | Supplemental |
| 29-1023.00 | role-29-1023-00 | Orthodontists | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Healthcare & Human Services | healthcare-human-services |

## Education Level

- **Category:** Postsecondary nondegree award

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Health Professions and Related Programs | health-professions-and-related-programs |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 47300
- **Mean Wage:** 48860
- **Pct10Wage:** 36190
- **Pct25Wage:** 39520
- **Pct75Wage:** 56910
- **Pct90Wage:** 61780
- **Employment:** 375430
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 361300 | 47250 | 6.42 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 4360 | 49220 | 0.2 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 3220 | 47000 | 0.1 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 1300 | 48160 | 0.2 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 160 | 50560 | 0.01 |
| 52 | 52 | Finance and Insurance | Sector | 100 | 53430 | 0.01 |
| 621420 | 621420 | Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers | National industry | 50 | 47720 |  |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector |  | 47840 |  |
| 55 | 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | Sector |  | 53710 |  |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector |  | 49950 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 361300 | 6.42 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 4360 | 0.2 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 1300 | 0.2 |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 3220 | 0.1 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 160 | 0.01 |
| 52 | 52 | Finance and Insurance | Sector | 100 | 0.01 |
- **Count:** 10

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.51 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.5268759 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.960739 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.3458537 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 28
- **Percentile:** 26
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 34 | felten_aioe |
| 38 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 13 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.5268759 | 34 | Moderate | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.4 | 38 | Moderate | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.05538541089290987 | 13 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.51
- **Percentile:** 47
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.13333333333333333
- **Beta:** 0.26666666666666666
- **Gamma:** 0.4

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 6.4
- **Growth Percentile:** 83
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 52.9
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 90
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 381.9
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 406.3

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 16
- **Skills:** 36
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 10
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** e778d1bf84ec7f66