Dental Assistant I

Dental Assistant I

Under general supervision, provides a range of clinical, administrative, and staff support to a full-range dental services operation. Assists in the performance of dental and radiography procedures; prepares and maintains dental equipment and supplies in accordance with established protocol, procedures, policies, and standards, and assists in the coordination of day-to-day patient administration, records management, and office support activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides chair side assistance to dentists and/or dental hygienists in the performance of dental procedures, to include operative, preventive, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, and/or oral surgical procedures.
• Prepares, sterilizes, organizes, and sets up dental equipment, ensures that all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to established clinic guidelines and standards.
• Monitors and maintains dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers, and light curing units, in accordance with manufacturers' guidelines.
• Exposes and processes dental radiographs in accordance with provider orders; assists in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols.
• Follows and maintains all relevant federal, state, and institutional regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards for the provision of dental clinical services.
• Orders and maintains inventories of dental clinic supplies.
• Interacts with and processes dental clinic patients; performs telephone triage, conducts patient interviews, and obtains prior approvals from third party payors.
• Maintains dental laboratory slips and creates and maintains dental records in accordance with established protocol and procedures.
• Prepares instruments for sterilization and storage in trays.
• Educates patients based on a sound knowledge of prevention and control of oral diseases; uses various teaching aids to effectively present the information to patients.
• Inventories and orders materials and supplies for the dental clinic.
• Contacts patients by telephone for return visits.
• Takes and pours up dental impressions under direction of a dentist.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience

• High School graduate or GED certificate required.
• Graduation from an ADA recognized certificate program is preferred.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish is preferred.
• Work experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified is strongly preferred.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Active license from NM Board of Dental Healthcare with certification required in:
• Dental Radiography
• CPR Certification must be obtained within first 6 months of hire and maintained.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Ability to work as a team member within a clinical environment.
• Current knowledge of and ability to follow a full range of dental clinical procedures and protocols.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Knowledge of sterile procedures.
• Ability to operate, maintains, and troubleshoots a wide range of dental equipment in accordance with prescribed procedures and standards.
• Ability to expose and process dental radiographs.
• Knowledge of radiation safety procedures, standards, and protocols.
• Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control. Interviewing skills.
• Knowledge of planning and scheduling techniques.
• Knowledge of patient evaluation and triage procedures.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Knowledge and familiarity with compliance program. Cooperate fully and comply with laws and regulations.

Age of Patients Served

• Adult, geriatric, adolescent, pediatric

Physical Characteristics/Working Conditions

• A person in this position has sufficient time to complete most tasks although under pressure depending on patient and organization demands. There are frequent opportunities to relax from any physical exertion or to change position in work activities.
• Physical Effort and Dexterity: Good dexterity to operate personal computer, and basic medical and laboratory equipment. Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
• Machines, Tools, Equipment required to be operated: Capable of using medical equipment, office machines and personal computers for word processing, data entry and retrieval.
• Visual Acuity, Hearing, and Speaking: Must be able to read computer monitor output and results of basic medical tests accurately. Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance.
• Environment/Working Conditions: Work is mostly inside a clinic in a controlled environment. Normal clinic safety precautions and practices are required. Position may require travel throughout the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Work regularly scheduled Monday-Friday, although weekends may be required to meet deadlines.