Dental Assistant

Summary : Under the direct supervision of the Dentist, assists dentist during examination and treatment of patients. Performs other duties related to general patient dental care and receptionist duties. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: - Responsible for preparing patients for dental treatment. Arranges dental instruments, materials, and medications on chair side tray in the order they are to be used according per scheduled treatment plan. - Responsible for keeping oral operating areas clear during dental procedures by use of suction devices, water sprays, cotton rolls, and holders. - Responsible for sterilizing instruments, preparing restorative materials and dental cements, and passes instruments to the dentist. - Assists in construction of models of teeth and mouth; pours, trims, mounts, and polishes models of plastic or plaster made from impressions taken by the dentist. - Welcomes and registers patients, assigns new patients a medical chart, records treatment plan, and prepares encounter forms and encounter control logs. - May determine pulse, respiration, facial coloration, and papillary reflexes of patient under treatment. - Responsible for scheduling appointments and walk-ins according to dental department procedure, contacts patients to remind them of their appointment, and responsible for maintaining a current tracking file for dental patients follow-up care. - Assist with clinic flow of patients. - Responsible for ordering dental supplies, and for maintaining a current dental inventory of supplies and equipment. - Responsible for performing insurance verification, handling cash flow box, and maintaining daily cash control log and submitting end of day reports to billing supervisor. - Actively participates in the Quality Management Program. - Actively participates in the Infection Control Program, Safety Program and Emergency Preparedness Program. - Responsible for equipment sterilization as assigned and follows safety and infection control policy and procedures - Responsible for following all Agency safety and health standards, regulations, procedures, policies, and practices. - Performs other related duties as necessary, which may include assisting the medical, optometry, and billing departments. - Assist with Dental Assistant coverage at Lincoln Heights and Highland Park as needed. - Responsible for following the Agencys emergency policies and procedures. REQUIREMENTS: - Dental Assistant certificate from a vocational school, or special training program for Dental Assistants. - Dental X-ray License. - Minimum two years experience as a Dental Assistant. - Typing of 35 wpm, and computer literate. - Effective verbal and communication skills and bilingual English/Spanish. - Ability to perform basic mathematical computation. - Familiarity with the Hispanic culture. - Ability to work well with others in a team-oriented professional environment. - High school graduate or G.E.D. certification. - Current CPR certificate.