A professional who assists dentist during examination and treatment of patients. Responsibilities include:

• Prepares patient, sterilizes and disinfects instruments, sets up instrument trays, prepares materials, and assists dentist during dental procedures.
• Takes and records medical and dental histories and vital signs of patient.
• Exposes dental diagnostic x rays.
• Makes preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
• Pours, trims, and polishes study casts, fabricates custom impression trays from preliminary impressions, cleans and polishes removable appliances, and fabricates temporary restorations.
• Assists dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
• Instructs patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
• Provides postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist.
• Records treatment information in patient records.
• Schedules appointments, prepares bills and receives payment for dental services, completes insurance forms, and maintains clerical records, manually or using computer.
• May clean teeth, using dental instruments.
• May apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.