What Does a Dental Assistant Do? 

Every dental practice needs a Dental Assistant, and people will always need dental care. But what exactly will you do day-to-day?

As a Dental Assistant, you’ll be working alongside a Dentist to treat oral health conditions, from routine cleanings to major dental procedures. This article shares what that entails, industry outlooks and how to get started in this field.

Dental Assistant duties

So, what does a Dental Assistant do? Dental Assistants wear many hats in a dental practice. You’ll be the first contact for patients, as your duties will include reception duties like scheduling appointments, providing customer service and taking payments.

You’ll also be there to help during appointments. You’ll assist the dentist through checkups, cleans and procedures — this can involve managing technical equipment such as digital imaging machines and preparing supplies for the dentist.

You’ll be responsible for hygiene and infection protocols, ensuring the work environment is kept clean and sterile to an acceptable standard.

Dental Assistant skills

There are also skills that you’ll need to pick up outside of your course to become a Dental Assistant and do your job well.

Interpersonal skills, listening, strong organisation, attention to detail and excellent communication are listed as the top five skills that Dental Assistants need to achieve success in their roles. You’ll also need coordination, technical skills and dexterity, but most of these skills can be learned and honed throughout your career as a Dental Assistant.

For more, read our article on the habits of successful Dental Assistants.

What is a typical week for a Dental Assistant?

As a Dental Assistant, your day starts with preparing the practice to accept patients. You’ll open the practice, prepare administration equipment and ensure the waiting room is in order.

Inside the dental rooms, you’ll prepare dental equipment, instruments and materials for the procedures scheduled for that day.

You’ll also be helping to manage client relationships, which means checking emails, billing, calling patients and rescheduling appointments. Following appointments, you may need to advise patients on proper aftercare.

The nature of the work means it’s crucial to maintain a sterile environment, so cleaning throughout each day will be involved as well.

Job outlook for Dental Assistants in Australia  

A career as a Dental Assistant is an excellent choice if you’re looking for solid opportunities. With around 25,737 people employed as Dental Assistants around Australia in 2025, you’ll have plenty of company. It’s a fairly large industry with steady growth projections far into the future.

But the Dental Assistant job demand continues to increase. According to SEEK, job growth for Dental Assistants sits at 6.5% over the next five years.

Since job outlook is relatively steady over the long term, training as a Dental Assistant is a safe option for securing future employment.

Average Dental Assistant salary

We’ve established that there’s a stable demand for Dental Assistants, but how much do Dental Assistants make?

Working full-time, SEEK estimates the average Dental Assistant earns $60,000 to $70,000 per year. But this varies greatly based on several factors. The more qualified you are, the more likely you are to attract a higher salary, for example. Other factors such as whether the practice is a franchise or not and where it is located, will also have an impact on your ability to negotiate a higher wage.

By improving your qualifications, emphasising your value and choosing carefully where you work, you can easily earn above the average rate. 

What do I need to study to become a Dental Assistant?

You don't need formal training to work as a Dental Assistant, but getting qualified gives you a huge advantage in landing jobs and advancing your career. Here’s how to become a Dental Assistant in Australia.

HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting

A HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting is your entry point into this career. You'll get hands-on experience through 300 hours of placement in a real dental clinic, plus all the theory you need to hit the ground running.

HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting

Ready to level up? The HLT45021 Certificate IV in Dental Assisting opens doors to more responsibility and better pay. You can choose the standard qualification or add dental radiography for even more opportunities.

HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management

Want to run the show? The HLT57715 Diploma of Practice Management prepares you to manage dental practices, handling everything from staff coordination to business operations.

Foundation Education also offers dual qualifications if you want to fast-track your career and complete both Certificate III and IV together.

Dental Assistant courses at Foundation Education

Foundation Education's dental courses get you job-ready with the perfect mix of online learning and hands-on practice. You'll learn at your own pace while getting real clinic experience that makes employers want to hire you.

Do you think that becoming a Dental Assistant is the right career choice for you? Get in touch with us to have a chat about your options. We’ll help you plan out your career path and get you where you want to be. Call Foundation Education today on 1300 616 197.

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