Why Dental Assistants Are Essential to Every Dental Office
*Updated March 2026
Key takeaways about dental assistants:
- Dental assistants keep dental offices running smoothly by managing appointments, sterilizing equipment, ordering supplies, processing billing, and handling administrative tasks.
- They're essential to patient care, assisting with procedures like X-rays, instrument handling, suction, taking impressions, and ensuring patient comfort.
- Dental Assistants Recognition Week (during the first week of March) celebrates their vital role as the backbone of every dental practice.
When most people go to a dental office, they often assume the dentist does all the work. But behind every efficient, well-run appointment is a dental assistant making it all happen.
From office management to assisting in procedures, there are plenty of reasons why we love to celebrate dental assistants.
What are dental assistants?
Dental assistants are the cogs that keep the wheels in a dental office turning.
Most dental assistants are responsible for tasks such as scheduling appointments and keeping patient records. They also help with some procedures, such as X-rays, and perform tasks such as sterilizing rooms and tools in the office.
Dental assistants also are very involved in patient care and making sure patients are comfortable.
For a full list of dental assistant job duties, check out this job description from the ADA.
Common tasks handled by dental assistants
Dental assistants often work in the background of dental offices to make sure everyday tasks run smoothly. Some of their tasks include:
Appointment preparation and takedown
Before you sit in the dentist’s chair, dental assistants prepare the space for your appointment. This includes cleaning anything used during a previous appointment and setting out the instruments and any other tools needed for the next one. Once the patient has completed their appointment and left the office, the process starts all over again.
Assisting the dentist as needed
Dental assistants typically begin an appointment by taking the patient to the examination room and discussing their needs. They may take radiographs (X-rays) and conduct any other assessments that may be needed.
During the appointment, dental assistants help the dentist with a variety of tasks, including instrument handling, rinsing and suction, and limiting the spread of bacteria as well. Dental assistants may also take impressions of teeth and provide post-care instructions.
Office management
The role of dental assistants isn’t limited to just patient-facing tasks. Dental assistants also play a part in keeping the office running smoothly. They manage tasks like ordering supplies, scheduling appointments, submitting claims, billing customers, and other administrative duties. In fact, they’re often some of the best multi-taskers around.
Why we appreciate dental assistants
The first week of March is Dental Assistants Recognition Week. It’s designed to honor those important team members in every dental practice.
There are so many reasons to recognize the hard work of dental assistants. They’re the backbone of dentists’ offices all around the world!
The next time you visit your dentist, be sure to give extra thanks to the dental assistants!
Looking for a provider? Use our handy dentist search to find someone near you.