As a dental assistant, you work under the supervision of a licensed dentist and help dental hygienists in their duties. As a dental assistant in a temp or temporary position, you fill in for an assistant on leave or when a second assistant is needed during high volume periods. Your duties include making the patient comfortable, the sterilization of equipment and tools for the treatment, using suction hoses and similar equipment to dry patients’ mouths, and educating patients on proper tooth and gum cleaning techniques. Other responsibilities may include administrative tasks like scheduling appointments or processing lab tasks under supervision.