An important and sought after person hired today is a certified dental assistant.  As a dental assistant, the person will perform a variety of tasks, ranging from greeting patients to sterilizing equipment to taking, developing and mounting dental x-rays.  He or she also sets up dental trays for examinations and dental procedures, locates and maintains patients’ records, helps with charting during routine oral examinations, comforts patients and assists the dentist during dental procedures.  The best certified dental assistant jobsare held by people who have taken required courses and passed state board exams.  To become certified a person must complete a dental assistant training program which generally takes about two years.  Certification is needed if a person wants to advance quickly up the career ladder because it is proof that the right education has been taken and understood.