Bilingual -Dual Role Registered Dental Assist

Dental Practice Assistant

As the "voice" of the dental practice, this role shapes the patient's first impression and reinforces the organization's commitment to high-quality oral healthcare and service excellence. Responsibly manages incoming calls by triaging patient needs, answering questions related to dental services, directing inquiries to appropriate clinical or administrative staff, and ensuring timely and accurate message documentation and routing. In the capacity as a Registered Dental Assistant provides comprehensive chairside support to a licensed dentist and/or hygienist, facilitating efficient delivery of high-quality patient care. Maintains a high level of professionalism, confidentiality, and attention to detail in all patient interactions. Assists with language translation for patients as needed to ensure clear, accurate communication and enhance access to care.

Key Responsibilities

1. Patient Reception and Communication Greet patients in a professional and courteous manner, addressing inquiries when appropriate and directing more complex questions to the appropriate clinical or administrative personnel.
2. Patient Registration Facilitate the accurate and timely completion of patient registration forms, ensuring all required documentation is obtained.
3. Demographic Data Management Collect, verify, and update patient demographic information within the practice management system to maintain accurate records.
4. Insurance Verification Verify patient insurance coverage, including primary care provider (PCP) selection when applicable, ensuring eligibility and benefit accuracy.
5. Financial Coordination Establish payment arrangements and collect applicable co-payments, deductibles, and balances in accordance with insurance coverage and sliding fee schedules.
6. Appointment Scheduling (Clinical Coordination) Schedule outpatient dental consultations and procedures as directed by providers, ensuring compliance with payer guidelines and authorization requirements.
7. Daily Activity Reporting Complete and reconcile Daily Activity Reports at the close of each business day.
8. Cash Handling and Reconciliation Accurately count and reconcile all payments collected, maintaining a balanced cash drawer in accordance with financial protocols.
9. Ledger Review Credits Review patient account ledgers to ensure all suspended credits are appropriately applied.
10. Ledger Review Coding Accuracy Audit patient ledgers to confirm accurate assignment of CDT (Current Dental Terminology) codes and correct provider attribution.
11. Comprehensive Appointment Scheduling Schedule patient appointments using the electronic scheduling system, taking into account provider availability, weekly templates, and PRN scheduling needs.
12. Message Management Document and relay detailed telephone messages for administrators, dentists, hygienists, and staff, including date, time, and staff identification; communicate messages to leadership as appropriate.
13. Patient Recall and Reminders Coordinate appointment reminders and recall services to support continuity of care and patient compliance with recommended treatment plans.
14. Call Management and Routing Professionally manage incoming calls by triaging patient needs, routing calls efficiently, and utilizing paging systems when necessary to ensure timely communication.
15. Charge Processing (HL7) Review and complete HL7 charge entries to ensure accurate data transmission and billing integrity.
16. Referral Coordination Generate, track, and manage dental referrals as prescribed by the dentist, ensuring timely follow-up and documentation.
17. Pre-Authorization Management Prepare and monitor dental pre-authorizations to support treatment approval and reimbursement.
18. Insurance Denial Resolution Review and address insurance denials, making necessary corrections and resubmissions to support revenue cycle efficiency.
19. Compliance with Treatment Plans (OTP Guidelines) Adhere to guidelines associated with approved treatment plans (OTP), ensuring alignment with payer and organizational standards.
20. Provides chairside assistance by retracting the patient's cheek, tongue, and oral tissues, and effectively manages moisture control using suction and air/water syringes to maintain a clear operative field.
21. Obtains diagnostic dental radiographs, including exposing and processing X-rays of the teeth, jaws, and surrounding oral structures in accordance with safety standards.
22. Assists with clinical procedures by applying topical anesthetics and medications; placing rubber dams; removing excess cement from restorations; placing matrix bands; adjusting orthodontic ligatures; and removing sutures as directed by the dentist.
23. Performs basic dental assessments, including dietary and salivary evaluations, and adheres to strict infection control protocols in compliance with OSHA and CDC guidelines.
24. Provides patient education on proper oral hygiene techniques; accurately charts oral conditions and treatment provided in the patient record.
25. Maintains and disinfects dental equipment, including flushing and cleaning evacuation systems according to established protocols.
26. Completes required clinical and administrative documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
27. Coordinates patient scheduling, including recall appointments, to support continuity of care and optimal clinic flow.
28. Manages inventory of dental supplies and equipment; places orders, tracks usage, coordinates equipment maintenance and repairs, and evaluates products and pricing.
29. Tracks and monitors dental laboratory cases to ensure timely case completion and proper communication with dental laboratories.
30. Performs all duties within the scope of practice for a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), in accordance with applicable state regulations at a minimum of once per month.
31. Language Access and Translation Support Provides language translation assistance for patients as needed to ensure clear, accurate, and culturally sensitive communication. Supports patient understanding of dental services, treatment plans, and administrative processes, thereby enhancing access to care and promoting a positive patient experience.
32. Operational Flexibility Provide coverage and support across multiple dental practice locations as needed.
33. Additional Responsibilities Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall efficiency, compliance, and patient-centered operations of the dental practice.

Expanded Functions

1. Performs coronal polishing procedures and mechanically polishes restorative surfaces in accordance with established clinical guidelines.
2. Places and removes provisional (temporary) restorations as directed by the supervising dentist.
3. Monitors patient status and comfort levels during the administration of nitrous oxide sedation, ensuring patient safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
4. Applies pit and fissure sealants to prevent dental caries, following evidence-based clinical protocols.

Position Requirements

Education High school diploma plus Registered Dental Assistant Program along with Expanded Functions education

Experience Bilingual with one to two years experience performing fundamental and expanded duties of a registered dental assistant as outlined by the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry; experience completing dental radiographs and alginate impressions; and experience performing clerical duties associated with a dental office.

Licenses or Certifications Registered to practice as an expanded function Dental Assistant as stipulated by the Laws and Administrative Rules of the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry. CPR Certification is required.

Mental Requirements

Level 1 Requires some concentration and normal attention. Generally, once the job is learned, the tasks can be performed more or less automatically.

X - Level 2 Requires high periods of concentration intermittently and normal attention. Generally, even once the job is learned, tasks will require normal attention to deal with recurring variables.

Level 3 Requires a high level of concentration and high level of attention intermittently. Generally, the approach to tasks may be consistent, but the number of steps required and/or the number of variables involved creates the possibility of errors unless the incumbent pays close attention.

Physical Requirements

Activity - Approximate % of Time - Comments

Sitting - 30% - May sit while assisting dentist, working the front desk, or working on computer

Standing - 30% - Assisting the dentist, sterilizing instruments, taking x-rays, pulling files

Walking - 40% - Greeting patients, taking x-rays, getting supplies

100%

Approximate percentage of time spent lifting, pulling and/or pushing: 15%

Maximum number of pounds required (with or without assistance) : 30 lbs.

Types of objects the incumbent is required to lift/pull/push. Patients in wheelchairs, boxes of supplies, moving the patient chair

Machines and Equipment Used:

Machines, Equipment, Tools - Approximate % of Time - Degree of Hand: Eye Coordination Required

Dental Chairs - 50% - High

Dental x-ray machine -