Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

The Dental Assistant provides essential support to the dental team by assisting with a range of clinical procedures and administrative tasks. Responsibilities may include preparing exam rooms, assisting during dental treatments, taking X-rays, and updating patient records, depending on departmental needs. This role works under the direction of dental providers to ensure efficient clinic operations while prioritizing patient care, comfort, and safety, and maintaining strict confidentiality of patient information.

Essential Job Functions

1. Complies with safety protocols, including hazard communication and bloodborne pathogen standards, to ensure a safe clinical environment.
2. Cleans, disinfects, and prepares operatories for patient procedures in accordance with established policies and procedures.
3. Obtains and documents patient health and dental information accurately and in a timely manner.
4. Provides pre-operative and post-operative patient education and obtains signed consent forms for documentation in the electronic health record.
5. Prepares procedural trays, equipment, and instruments and assists with dental appointments to support timely and accurate procedures.
6. Performs diagnostic intra-oral and extra-oral digital radiographs as directed by the dentist.
7. Assists with phone calls, relays messages to provider, and assists with answering questions on the provider's behalf.
8. Ensuring rooms are consistently stocked and orderly through fiscally responsible practices.
9. Tracks incoming and outgoing lab cases to ensure cost accuracy and timely delivery for patient care.
10. Schedules and confirms patient appointments efficiently to optimize provider schedules.
11. Assists with dental procedures performed in hospital settings, pediatric, geriatric, and special needs patients as needed.
12. Recognizes and responds appropriately to basic dental and medical emergencies to ensure timely patient care.
13. Performs routine housekeeping and basic maintenance of dental equipment to maintain a clean and functional work environment.
14. Collaborates with interpreters to effectively overcome language barriers and ensure clear communication with patients.
15. Trains and mentors new employees.
16. Maintains strict adherence to scheduled work hours with regular and reliable attendance.
17. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Demonstrated keyboarding and computer experience.
3. Preferred graduate from a technical college dental assistant program.
4. Preferred dental assistant experience and familiarity with dental terminology.

Certifications / Licenses

1. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification at time of hire, or within three months of employment.
2. Valid Wisconsin Driver's License required with an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR), per FHC guidelines.