As a dental assistant, your job is to help the dentist perform procedures as efficiently as possible, and to deliver high-quality patient care with optimal results. To do that, you need to be familiar with all the equipment and processes that are part of the office, as well as know how to properly position yourself and patients during treatment. In this module, you’ll learn about the layout of the dental office and the various equipment found throughout, your role in the operatory, proper positioning and the various techniques you’ll use to best assist the dentist.

Dental assistants have a lot of responsibility in the dental practice. They must know the basic equipment and their uses and be able to open and close the practice each day. Proper seating and positioning for the patient and assistant are critical for successful procedures, while mastering four-handed dentistry will help make these procedures more efficient—improving the practice’s productivity.

Dental Assistants maintain postures that require more than half of the body's muscles to contract and resist gravity. Muscle overload leads to reduced blood flow and increased pressure on joints and muscles. The human body requires constant movement to reduce friction and maintain the overall health of joints and muscles. An ergonomic operator chair should consist of a stable leg base, lumbar support, and adjustable footrests to encourage mobility and better patient access.

Each dental hand instrument has a defined use in a dental procedure. The dental assistant is responsible for knowing what each dental hand instrument does and which one the dentist will need during a procedure.