Final answer:
A dental assistant should arrive at least 15 to 30 minutes before the first scheduled patient to complete necessary preparatory tasks for the day.
Step-by-step explanation:
In preparing the morning routine for opening the office, a dental assistant should ideally arrive well in advance of the first scheduled patient. While the exact time may vary depending on the specific duties and the particular office's protocol, it's professionally advisable to plan your route to ensure punctuality. Considering that you may need to perform preparatory tasks such as setting up the operatories, reviewing the day's schedule, preparing patient charts, and ensuring that all equipment is functioning properly, it's advisable to arrive at least 15 to 30 minutes before the first patient. This buffer allows for any unexpected delays and provides a calm start to the day, ensuring that you can provide the best possible care to patients from the moment the office opens.