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Dental assistants assist dentists in the clinical treatment of patients. They provide different types of patient care, office duties, and laboratory duties. They are required to have good manual dexterity, work well with others, and must be reliable. In patient care, dental assistants make patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepare them for treatment, and obtain dental records. They hand instruments and materials to dentists and keep patients’ mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. They sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare tray setups for dental procedures, and instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care. Sometimes, dental assistants also prepare materials for making impressions and restorations, expose radiographs, and process dental x-ray film as directed by a dentist. They may also be instructed to remove sutures, apply anaesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth, remove excess cement used in the filling process, and place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment. Office duties of a dental assistant include: scheduling and confirming appointments; receiving patients; keeping treatment records; sending bills and receiving payments; and ordering supplies and materials. A dental assistant performing laboratory duties will: make casts of the teeth and mouth from impressions; clean and polish removable appliances; and make temporary crowns.