Dental Assistant

Job Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Patient Care:

• Shows courtesy, respect and positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public.
• Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit.
• Possesses advanced knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care.
• Assists in routine general dental procedures; passes instruments safely, accurately and efficiently.
• Keeps operative field clear of debris.
• Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials.
• Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols.
• Monitors and performs basic interpretation of patient vital signs and condition during invasive treatment/recovery.
• Pours and takes impressions for diagnostic casts and prosthetic fabrication; prepares study molds.
• Makes final denture impression trays and bite rims.
• Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses.
• Provides procedure-specific, patient preventative education, post-operative and oral hygiene instruction.
• Assists in specialized dental procedures; oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration.
• Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays.
• Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization.

Dental Imaging:

• Possesses the ability to identify normal anatomy.
• Exposed both standard and specialty dental imaging in traditional and/or digital format.
• Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider.
• Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality and accurately oriented and exposed.
• Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques and retakes are minimized.

Clerical Functions:

• Assists with filling gaps in doctors schedule due to late cancellation or failed appointments.
• Assists in charting findings, treatment plans, and treatment in patient records.
• Initiates computerized treatment and progress notes.
• Return to clinic orders; completes clinical reminders.
• Prepares cases for dental laboratory and ensures timely retrieval of completed cases.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30-4:00pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized