Difference Between Level 1 vs. Level 2 Dental Assistants

There are myriad reasons to explore becoming a dental assistant – from career security in a high-demand industry and competitive wages to rewarding work in varied positions to meet your personal and professional goals. Understanding dental assisting levels I and II is essential before starting your journey. A leading-edge, accelerated certified dental assistant course can offer you the theoretical and hands-on training required for certification and get you from graduation into the field in less than one year.

But before you launch into all it takes to get your dental assistant certification it is essential for you to understand the different opportunities and responsibilities between Level 1 versus Level 2 dental assistants.

So, What Do Dental Assistants Do At Level 1 And Level 2?

Dental assistants perform a variety of clinical and administrative duties depending on their level of certification, from patient preparation and chairside support to advanced intraoral procedures. Knowing these differences helps you decide your career path and what to expect in a dental assisting role.

What You Need to Know – Level 1 vs. Level 2 Dental Assistants

1. Dental Assistant Duties and Responsibilities – Level 1 vs Level 2

As an intra oral dental level II assistant, you:

• Support dentists and ensure all patients receive optimal care.
• Work chairside and receive and prepare patients for treatment.
• Sterilize, prepare, and set out dental instruments and materials.
• Assist dentists during dental procedures and record patient and procedure details.
• Educate patients, polish clinical crowns, and apply fluoride.
• On the technical side, you apply dental dams, pit, and fissure sealants, desensitizing agents, topical anesthetic, and acid etch materials.
• You also take preliminary impressions for diagnostic casts and expose radiographs (X-rays).
• Beyond the chair, you may also take on an administrative role, answering telephone calls and coordinating appointment schedules, as required.

2. The Fundamental Difference Between Level 1 and Level 2 Dental Assistants

• Level I dental assistants primarily support by seating patients and assisting the dentist during procedures and sterilizing instruments. Level II dental assistants have advanced responsibilities, working inside the mouth, polishing, taking impressions, making study models, providing oral hygiene instructions and applying fluoride treatments.

3. The Role and Duties of a Level 1 Dental Assistant

• Preparing the patient for dental treatments, making them feel comfortable and answering any questions they may have or directing their questions to the dentist, when required.
• Sterilizing instruments.
• Taking radiographs.
• Making cast models.
• Providing assistance to the dentist during various procedures.
• Managing inventory.
• Maintaining patient records and charts.
• Setting the tone for the dental office, ensuring all runs smoothly and patients receive exceptional care.

4. The Role and Duties of a Level 2 Dental Assistant

• All tasks of a level 1 dental assistant, but a dental assistant level 2 also has a broader level of responsibility and scope of practice, including mechanical coronal tooth polishing etc.
• Mechanical coronal tooth polishing.
• Applying pit and fissure sealants.
• Using anti-cariogenic agents to prevent tooth decay.
• Applying topical anesthetics.
• Taking dental impressions.
• Making study models.
• Providing oral hygiene instructions.
• Applying fluoride desensitizers and treatments.

*For more details check out:

5. The Technical and Practical Training You Need to Get Certified

Anderson College’s Intra Oral Level I & II Dental Assistant program emphasizes the importance of hands-on-training and our students have the distinct advantage of learning within our fully equipped dental laboratory.

What else sets us apart:

• Learn all the technical requirements to excel in your new career, from our industry-expert instructors.
• Apply all you learn within our simulated work environment.
• Gain the interpersonal skills required to engage in quality patient communications and to offer exceptional care.
• A four-week practicum allows you to experience the work environment and put into practice your knowledge and training.
• Upon graduation, Anderson College students are eligible to take the certification exams through the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB).
• All Anderson students enrolled in the Intra-Oral Dental Assistant program will receive a complimentary Ontario Dental Assistants Association (ODAA) Student Membership.
• Experience all of this in a leading-edge, accelerated dental assistant program that launches you into your new career with just one year!
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Whether you’re exploring a first career or looking to take your dental career to new heights, there is extraordinary potential in this high-demand field. Perhaps now, understanding the difference between Level I and Level II dental assistants, you can make an informed decision for your future.

If you’re still surveying your options, you can always take the “Dental Professional Career Discovery Quiz”.

But when you’re ready to start your Intra Oral Dental Assistant career, we’re here to help you navigate the steps along the way. Book a virtual appointment with our Admissions team today!

Quick Links to Fuel Your Success!

We want to make sure you have what you need to succeed! Check out these reference links:

• Intra Oral Dental Assistant program – Anderson College
• Dental Assistant Grads Share All – Insights on Our Program and Your Future
• Inspiring Student Advice – Anderson College Blog Post
• Healthcare Careers You Can Launch in 2 Years or Less

FAQs – Dental Assisting Levels 1 and 2

1. What is a DA 1?

A DA 1 (Level 1 Dental Assistant) supports dentists with tasks like sterilizing instruments, seating patients, and assisting during procedures, but does not perform intra-oral duties.

2. What skill level is a dental assistant?

Dental assistants are skilled healthcare workers. Level 1 focuses on support tasks, while Level 2 adds intra-oral duties like polishing, impressions, and X-rays.

3.What is the highest level of dental assistant?

The highest level is a Level 2 Intra-Oral Dental Assistant, who can perform both support and intra-oral clinical tasks after NDAEB certification.

4. How much does a Level 2 dental assistant make in Ontario?

In Ontario, Level 2 dental assistants usually earn $20-$32 per hour.
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