Dentistry is a highly popular field and growing profession, so anyone that has visited a dentist may wonder exactly what responsibilities each profession has in dentistry. If you are hoping to enter the dental field, this is also wonderful information to know to find the best path for you.

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Let’s take a look at several practical guidelines.

To start, a dental assistant works to assist the dentist in all tasks. They may have responsibilities like scheduling, helping with patients, and ordering supplies for the office. A dental assistant will also help to update patient charts, disinfect implements, create temporary crowns, make casts of the teeth, hand tools to the dentist during a treatment, polish the teeth, and manage the office.  The dental assistant will help with the preparation of the treatment, giving instructions to the patient about oral hygiene, processing x-rays, and making impressions of the teeth.  A dental assistant may not be nationally certified, but they must have graduated from an accredited training program. They will have the opportunity to work in dental schools, private offices, hospitals, public health locations, and clinics.

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The dental hygienist has slightly different responsibilities, and they do have to graduate from an accredited program. From there, they will become licensed at the state and national level. The licensing process allows them to become a Registered Dental Hygienist. Some of their responsibilities will be to apply fluoride and sealants to the teeth, educate about oral health practices, and evaluate the oral health with each patient, process and expose x-rays, and remove stains and plaque along the gum line.

A dental laboratory technician will create braces, bridges, crowns, dentures, and other dental tools.  A dental technician will commonly work in a laboratory, dental office, or research facility. Lastly, a dentist may be the role that you are the most familiar with. Becoming a dentist requires extensive schooling to either be a Dr. of Dental Surgery or Dr. of Dental Medicine. A dentist will be a general practitioner to supervise the dental hygienist, dental assistants, and dental laboratory technicians. A dentist will diagnose, examine, treat abnormalities, and help maintain the health of the tissues, teeth, and bones of the mouth. A dentist can also specialize within their practice in orthodontics, oral surgery, oral pathologies, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and public health dentistry. The dentist can work in a practice or individually, and they may be employed within a laboratory, hospital, public health agency, and dental clinic.

The bottom line is that it is important to have a good relationship with your dentist to protect the health of your teeth. You can continue to care for your oral health by flossing and brushing regularly, and make sure to have regular apartments with your dentist for routine cleanings. This will give you the opportunity to remove the buildup of bacteria and plaque in the mouth to protect the overall health of your teeth and gums.