Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Under the general direction of the Dental Manager, the Dental Assistant works as part of the Dental Team performing those duties necessary to provide assistance to the dental staff. The Dental Assistant is responsible for preparing patients for treatment, processing dental x-ray film, pours dental impressions, setting up instruments and dental materials, sterilizing instruments after patient treatment, and charts dental anomalies, ordering and stocking supplies.

Primary duties and responsibilities include the following: (other duties may be assigned):

1. Conducts job duties in a professional and caring manner creating a positive patient oriented service atmosphere.
2. Exhibits awareness of cultural and socioeconomic differences and demonstrates ability in reducing barriers to the provisions of dental care.
3. Assists dentists and dental hygienist in chair-side procedures to include amalgams, composites, oral surgery, endodontics, prophylaxis, sealants, space maintainers, removable prosthodontics, extractions, charting, checking blood pressure, providing patient instructions and informed consent information.
4. The dental assistant prepares and sets up instruments and dates all sterilized instruments and places them in the rooms.
5. Responsible, along with the dental hygienist, for the daily, weekly and monthly maintenance and monitoring of equipment such as the compressor, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers and evacuator systems.
6. Assist the dentist with whatever procedures he/she requests.
7. Follow all OSHA standards and institutional policies as stated in the Regulatory Compliance Manual and MedNorth health Center Policies and Procedures Manual by maintaining all dental MSDS information, updating dental infection control protocol annually, and assisting in developing yearly OSHA review for dental staff.
8. Clean rooms after each patient by wiping chairs, sterilizing instruments, counters, etc., spraying and disinfecting the room, re-bagging the room, setting up for the next patient, Vacusoling each room at the end of the day, and keeping all rooms organized.
9. Protects the confidentiality of patients and their records at all times by complying with patient confidentiality policies.
10. Addresses patient complaints and directs them through the proper channels.
11. Assists dentist and hygienist with all oral health education programs.
12. Completes and maintains all dental lab slips for a minimum of two years.
13. Notifies the patient when an appliance is ready.
14. Pours and disinfects dental impressions.
15. Assists in the ordering and maintenance of dental supplies by restocking rooms prior to ordering and putting up ordered supplies.
16. Provides radiology services by exposing and processing dental radiographies as ordered by the dentist, maintaining and updating the Radiation Safety Program annually, and maintaining and monitoring all dosimeter badges.
17. When directed by the dentist, assists with administrative tasks such as taking telephone messages, pulling charts, scheduling appointments, etc.
18. Utilizes slow time constructively to enhance clinical operations, assists other staff/departments when time and workload permits.
19. Perform all duties as permitted by the Dental Laws of North Carolina and Board Rules handbook section. 0203. Permitted Functions of Dental Assistant II.
20. Other duties as assigned.

It is an essential job element that everyone be compliant with the full law and fully cooperates with the compliance program without fear of retaliations from the organization.

Supervisory responsibilities: None

Qualification requirements: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skills, and/or ability required:

Education and/or experience: High School diploma or equivalent; certification from a Dental Assistant II program; must be Radiology Certified Minimum two years health care related experience.

Essential technical/motor skills: The Dental Assistant II must understand medical and dental terminology and possess accurate keyboarding skills. The employee must have the ability to use standard office equipment: including computers, photocopiers and facsimile machines. Must possess the ability to learn, understand and use internet insurance eligibility systems. The Dental Assistant II must be able to operate X-ray and dental laboratory equipment. The employee must possess the ability to use a MediaDent Software.

Interpersonal skills: The Dental Assistant II possesses excellent telephone etiquette, interpersonal and customer service skills. Teamwork and communication skills are essential. The employee must treat all patients, co-workers, and managers with courtesy and respect.

Mental abilities: The Dental Assistant II possesses cognitive reasoning -- Clear thinking in high-pressure situations -- Ability to prioritize and withstand pressure of continual work with variable requirements -- Ability to concentrate and maintain accuracy despite frequent interruptions -- Critical thinking and organization skills, problem solving, and reasoning capabilities

Language skills: Ability to speak English fluently -- Spanish speaking or another language is a plus

Licenses, certificates, registrations: Certifications from an accredited Dental Assistant II program; must be radiology certified.

Physical demands: The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

The special vision requirements for this job are close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).

Work environment: Inside a multi-cultural medical/dental clinic, which delivers comprehensive health care services, including HIV/AIDS treatment to the disadvantaged poor and underserved -- The building is heated in winter and air conditioned in the summer with noise levels of moderate to loud -- Children crying and screaming -- Loud talking patients -- Patients speaking multiple languages at the same time -- Loud speaker and/or paging -- May be subject to exposure to copier toner, correction fluid, bright fluorescent lighting, and continuous personal computer exposure

This job is a Blood borne Pathogens risk category III position.

General expectations:

The employee is expected to attend work on a daily basis and to be at work on time.

The employee is expected to be a team player.

The employee is expected to report absences in accordance with personnel policies and procedures.

The employees work is expected to be accurate, neat, and thorough, and completed on time.

The employee is expected to have a positive attitude, be cooperative, and considerate of others.

The employee is expected to be dependable and is expected to accept responsibility for assignments and duties given.

The employee is expected to dress and act in a professional manner and to adhere to all safety standards.

The employee is expected to participate in staff meetings, be courteous and polite with patients and other staff.

The employee is expected to maintain confidentiality.

Note: This job description may be changed only with the approval of the Chief Executive Officer, however it should be reviewed at least annually between the employee and the supervisor of the position.