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OverviewNature of WorkKnowledge AreasSkills Utilized
Job ActivitiesAbilitiesJob ConditionsWork SatisfactionEducation/Training

Ability Areas

Learn about the most important abilities for Dental Assistants. Also, find out how proficient you have to be in each ability.

Importance*More Info
1.Oral Expression78
2.Oral Comprehension75
3.Near Vision72
Written Expression72
5.Speech Clarity66
Information Ordering66
7.Arm-Hand Steadiness63
8.Speech Recognition60
9.Finger Dexterity56
Selective Attention56
* Importance out of 100

Score Key
  Importance for success in this profession
  Level of proficiency needed

Ability Area Scores

Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
78
54
Cancel newspaper delivery by phoneGive instructions to a lost motoristExplain advanced principles of genetics to college freshmen
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
75
59
Understand a television commercialUnderstand a coach's oral instructions for a sportUnderstand a lecture on advanced physics
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
72
61
Read dials on the dashboard of a carRead the fine print of a legal documentDetect minor defects in a diamond
Written Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
72
41
Write a note to remind someone to take food out of the freezerWrite a job recommendation for a subordinateWrite an advanced economics textbook
Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
66
45
Call numbers in a bingo gameMake announcements over the loudspeaker at a sports eventGive a lecture to a large audience
Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
66
43
Put things in numerical orderFollow the correct steps to make changeAssemble a nuclear warhead
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
63
52
Light a candleThread a needleCut facets in a diamond
Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
60
50
Recognize the voice of a coworkerIdentify a former customer's voice over the telephoneUnderstand a speech presented by someone with a strange accent
Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
56
54
Put coins in a parking meterAttach small knobs to stereo equipment on an assembly linePut together the inner workings of a small wrist watch
Selective Attention
The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
56
39
Answer a business call with coworkers talking nearbyMonitor security TV screens for intruders throughout the night shiftStudy a technical manual in a noisy boiler room