As a registered dental assistant (RDA), you perform a wide range of tasks to help dentists provide dental care for patients. In this role, your duties may include helping prepare patients for a procedure, sterilizing instruments, providing post-operative care instructions, scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, and ensuring each dental room is well-stocked. Some RDAs focus on specialized care, such as providing dental treatment to children or seniors. Most registered dental assistants also perform cleanings and help with common procedures before the dentist comes in to check for serious problems.