Dental Assistants are employed in surgical and administrative duties. They are usually the first point of contact with patients and are therefore, required to have a high degree of communication skills, tact and diplomacy. Dental Assistants must be meticulous in maintaining a high standard of personal and oral hygiene.

Dental surgery duties include chairside assistance to the Dental Officer or Dental Specialist, preparing and cleaning surgery, preparation of patient for treatment, clean, sterilise and storage of instruments, preparation and mixing of dental materials and processing of x-rays.

Administrative tasks include preparation, processing and filing of correspondence, reports, invoices, returns, scheduling appointments; maintaining, receiving and dispatching dental clinical records, and procuring and accounting for dental equipment and stores.

Work conditions - Dental Assistants normally work in environmentally controlled health facilities. Dental Assistants may be required to work in a deployed field dental unit.

Dental Assistants are exposed to infectious and hazardous substances and hazardous equipment on a daily basis, however provided proper attention is paid to safety precautions, there is a low risk of injury.