Dental Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary:

The dental assistant will assist in the performance of quality clinical dentistry by aiding the doctor during examinations and treatment. The assistant performs clinical and technical procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist as well as prepares the treatment room and equipment, gets the patient ready, and maintains awareness of the comfort and safety needs of patients. The position will also be responsible for various administrative and housekeeping duties while working. 

Duties/Responsibilities:

· Record treatment information on the patient's chart, including treatment rendered, the type of treatment planned, and the amount of chair time, doctor time and assistant time needed for the next appointment.

· Assist the doctor by passing instruments, aspirating intra‐oral fluids, mixing materials and medicaments during examinations or treatment.

· Assist the dentist through 4-handed dentistry.

· Provide customer service support to patients by escorting them to and from the treatment room and prepping them for care by the doctor.

· Expose radiographs as instructed by the doctor.

· Take and record patients’ blood pressure and pulse accurately.

· Prepare all treatment rooms including, but not limited to, set-up, decontamination, sterilization of all instruments, cleaning, and restocking.

· Maintain cleanliness of the lab, sterilization, and assistant area.

· Maintain all disinfectant soaks and sprays, sterilant, and ultrasonic.

· Review patient’s medical history, progress from the previous visit, if applicable, and the scheduled treatment plan with each patient.

· Maintain patient confidentiality through HIPAA compliance.

· Take impressions and/or scan for diagnostic and opposing models.

· Inspect patient’s oral cavity and charts lesions, existing restorations, and missing teeth.

· Use intraoral camera to document lesions.

· Place and remove temporary sedative dressings and post‐extraction and periodontal dressings, per doctor request.

· Help administer nitrous oxide to patients, if certified.

· Clean hand pieces and vacuum traps

· Place and remove rubber dams, per doctor request.

· Place wedges, per doctor request.

· Hold and remove anterior matrices, per doctor request.

· Perform coronal polishing, if certified.

· Test pulp vitality, per doctor request.

· Sizes crowns, temporary crowns, and bands.

· Pour and trim models.

· Monitor incoming and outgoing lab cases.

· Monitor inventory and order supplies.

· Maintain plaster trap and lab counter areas daily.

· Other administrative and housekeeping duties as assigned by management. 

Required Skills/Abilities:

· Skilled in the use of standard dental office equipment.

· Knowledge of general principles of dentistry.

· Provide superior patient care and service; exhibit outstanding customer service and hospitality skills as well as chair side manner.

· Ability to explain instructions to others with less technical knowledge.

· Ability to maintain composure and professionalism when exposed to stressful situations.

· Strong multi-tasking and organizational skills.

· Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

· Ability to work cooperatively with staff and patients.

· Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions and accept constructive feedback.

· Ability to communicate and express thoughts and ideas competently.

· Knowledge of OSHA regulations and changes.

· Knowledge of English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

· Skilled in the use of standard office equipment including telephones, calculators, copiers, fax, computers and computer software.

· Working knowledge of Dentrix, Dexis, and iTero preferred.

· Knowledge of all company policies and rules.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

· None 

Education and Experience:

· Completion of Dental Assisting Program and/or minimum one year experience as a dental assistant.

· Current Oklahoma Dental Assisting Permit required.

· Current CPR Certification required.

· Valid X-ray certification.

· Maintain annual OSHA, HIPAA and Infection Control training as required by law. 

Physical Requirements:

· Hand-eye coordination and hand, arm, and finger mobility for detailed work with objects.

· Active movement throughout the day: sitting, walking, standing, squatting, bending, stooping, reaching, etc. (not a sedentary position).

· Ability to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

· Close, color, and peripheral vision. Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

· Able to satisfactorily communicate with patients, doctors, and other staff members to ensure verbal communication is clearly understood, particularly during emergency situations.

· Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times.

NOTE: The essential responsibilities of this position are described under the headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. Also, this document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.

Carletti DDS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and encourages Women, Minorities, Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans to apply. 

\nCompany Description

Our dentists, Dr. J. Andrew Carletti and associates, and our team are dedicated to providing our patients with the services they need to obtain the smile of their dreams. From general dentistry to cosmetic treatments, we take our role as dental providers seriously.

Company Description

Our dentists, Dr. J. Andrew Carletti and associates, and our team are dedicated to providing our patients with the services they need to obtain the smile of their dreams. From general dentistry to cosmetic treatments, we take our role as dental providers seriously.