Patient Care: You assist dentists and dental hygienists in providing patient care during dental procedures. This may involve preparing treatment rooms, seating patients, and explaining procedures to patients to help them feel comfortable and at ease. Sterilizing Equipment: You sterilize and disinfect dental instruments and equipment to maintain infection control standards and ensure patient safety. This includes cleaning, packaging, and autoclaving instruments, as well as maintaining sterilization logs and records. Assisting During Procedures: You hand instruments and materials to the dentist or dental hygienist during procedures and provide suction or assistance as needed to ensure a smooth and efficient workflow. You may also retract tissues, hold mirrors, or operate dental equipment such as suction devices or dental drills. Taking and Developing X-Rays: You take dental radiographs (X-rays) of patients' teeth and jaws as directed by the dentist. You position patients correctly, operate X-ray equipment, and develop and mount X-ray images for interpretation by the dentist. Taking Impressions: You take impressions of patients' teeth and jaws using dental impression materials to create molds for dental restorations, prosthetics, or orthodontic appliances. Educating Patients: You provide oral hygiene instructions and education to patients on proper brushing, flossing, and dental care techniques. You may also provide information on post-treatment care and instructions for using dental appliances or devices. Administrative Tasks: You perform various administrative tasks to support the operation of the dental office. This may include scheduling appointments, managing patient records, billing and coding procedures, and handling insurance claims. Instrument Maintenance: You clean, sharpen, and maintain dental instruments and equipment to ensure they are in good working condition. You may also assist in ordering and stocking supplies and materials needed for dental procedures. Emergency Preparedness: You assist in responding to medical emergencies or adverse reactions that may occur during dental procedures. You are trained to recognize and respond to emergencies promptly and effectively to ensure patient safety and well-being. Compliance with Regulations: You adhere to all relevant regulations, guidelines, and standards governing dental practice, including infection control protocols, patient privacy laws (HIPAA), and occupational health and safety regulations.