Description
Provide child-centered chairside and administrative support under the direction of a pediatric dentist. Duties include preparing and sterilizing equipment, readying children for treatment, assisting during pediatric procedures, exposing x-rays, and delivering age-appropriate oral health instructions to children and caregivers; may also schedule appointments, maintain records, and handle billing and insurance.
- • Prepare child-friendly operatory, sterilize or disinfect instruments, and set up trays and materials for pediatric procedures.
- • Prepare children and caregivers for visits; explain procedures using tell-show-do and comfort techniques.
- • Assist the pediatric dentist during exams, restorations, stainless steel crowns, pulpotomies, and extractions.
- • Expose pediatric dental x-rays using appropriate shielding and positioning devices.
- • Document treatment details, behavior notes, and provider instructions in pediatric patient records.
- • Obtain and record medical and dental histories, vital signs, allergies, and caries risk for children.
- • Provide postoperative and home-care instructions to parents and caregivers.
- • Assist in behavior guidance and the safe management of anxious or special needs children.
- • Monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation and patient responses as directed by the dentist.
- • Place pit-and-fissure sealants and apply fluoride varnish.
- • Perform coronal polishing and apply topical anesthetic as directed.
- • Take preliminary impressions and occlusal registrations for study models or appliances.
- • Pour, trim, and label pediatric study casts.
- • Clean and polish removable appliances, space maintainers, and mouthguards.
- • Order and maintain child-sized dental supplies and equipment inventory.
- • Schedule appointments, coordinate recalls, process payments and insurance forms, and maintain pediatric charts.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
