Dental assistants work with dentists and licensed dental hygienists to clean patients' teeth as well as run the business of a dental practice. Daily tasks may include sterilizing instruments, taking down a patient's medical history, assisting a dentist in a procedure, and developing x-rays. Many dental assistants learn their skills on the job, but the best employment opportunities are available to those with formal training. The median earnings for a dental assistant are $31,550.