Dental Assistant

You'll hand tools to dentists, suction spit out of people's mouths, take X-rays, and try to make patients comfortable while someone drills into their teeth. It's a front-row seat to every filling, crown, and root canal — and you'll hear 'I hate the dentist' approximately 47 times per day. But it's steady work with decent hours.

What you'll actually do

• 01Prepare patients for dental procedures and take X-rays
• 02Sterilize instruments and set up procedure trays
• 03Assist dentists chairside during fillings, extractions, and crowns
• 04Suction and retract during procedures while patients try to talk with their mouth open
• 05Take dental impressions and pour models
• 06Schedule appointments and manage patient records
• 07Hear 'I hate the dentist' 47 times a day and somehow keep smiling

Career Path

Where this role sits in the bigger picture — and where it can take you.