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Dental Assistant

OFO Code: 325101

Last checked 3 October 2026

PATHLENS

1. Occupation identity

OFO code
325101
Occupation
Dental Assistant
Classification
OFO 2021
Major group
TECHNICIANS AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS
Unit group
3251 · Dental Assistants and Therapists

Official description
Dental assistants and therapists provide basic dental care services for the prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders of the teeth and mouth, as per care plans and procedures established by a dentist or other oral health professional.

More official OFO detail

Specialisations: Dental Surgery Assistant, Dental Aide, Dental Nurse, Orthodontic Assistant, Dental Chairside Assistant

  • Assisting dentists during complex dental procedures
  • Providing fluoride treatments, cleaning and removing deposits from teeth, preparing cavities and placing fillings, administering local anaesthesia, and performing other types of basic or routine clinical dental procedures
  • Getting patients ready for examination or treatment including explaining procedures and correct positioning
  • Conducting visual and physical examinations of patients' mouths, teeth and related structures to assess oral health status
  • Taking impressions of the mouth and dental radiographs to support diagnosis and fitting of dental prosthesis
  • Advising communities and individuals on dental hygiene, diet and other preventive measures to reduce potential risks to oral health
  • Preparing, cleaning and sterilizing dental instruments, equipment and materials used in the examination and treatment of patients
  • Identifying cases of patients with poor oral health or oral disease requiring referral to a dentist or other health professional

2. Demand status

Demand evidence not yet linked

This is an official OFO 2021 occupation. Demand status is separate evidence and is not inferred from inclusion in the OFO.

A national demand signal is not a promise of a vacancy in your town.

3. Salary evidence

No sourced salary record has been ingested for this OFO code yet.

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5. Qualification

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7. Industry, sector and provincial context

National occupation classification. Industry and provincial context are shown only where a separate official source supports the link.

No source-backed modern OFO↔SIC 7 industry link has been ingested for this occupation yet. PathLens does not infer one from the job title.

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8. Next steps — official links

Career explorationNCAP / KhethaOfficial destination ↗QualificationQCTOOfficial destination ↗Public employment serviceESSA / labour centreOfficial destination ↗

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