They hold and pass instruments, retract tissues and apply suction to assist better vision of the operating field.
This practice usually occurs in clinics solely devoted to laser teeth whitening and not routine dental treatment.
Local regulations determine the duties therapists are allowed to perform, including either working under the prescription of a dentist or independently, and either exclusively treating children, or patients of any age.
Duties usually include examining teeth and/or gingiva (gums), taking and interpreting intra and extra-oral radiographs, diagnosing dental caries (decay) and periodontal (gum) disease, restoring teeth (either deciduous (primary) or both deciduous and permanent), extracton of deciduous teeth, scaling or debridement to remove calculus, polishing to remove stain, applying fisssure sealants and topical fluoride, patient education, and oral hygiene instruction.
Under supervision they place and remove orthodontic brackets, wires, bands, and appliances on patients, as treatment-planned by the orthodontist or dentist, in order to improve efficiency.