Certified Dental Assistant

Certified Dental Assistant

The Certified Dental Assistant performs a variety of clinical and administrative duties, such as preparing the treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, and assisting during procedures. The Certified Dental Assistant makes patients as comfortable as possible in the dental chair, prepares them for treatment, obtains their dental records, and instructs patients on postoperative and general oral health care. In addition, the Certified Dental Assistant will assist our patients make appointments, assuring their attendance, and connecting them to support services. The Certified Dental Assistant will be responsible for establishing and cultivating relationships with community stakeholders and providers.

The position reports to the Director of Dental Operations. No staff report to this position.

Essential Job Duties & Functions

Administrative Duties

• Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs
• Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentist
• Map out each plan of care and work with individual patients to connect them to free or reduced-cost dental services within the community where they can take their next step in care.
• Facilitate examinations to patients who otherwise might not receive care.
• Address patient concerns and work to resolve the issues surrounding them. For example, individuals struggling with transportation barriers may receive a gas card or vouchers for public or private transportation fares (e.g., bus pass, Uber credit).
• Create a process that will increase the likelihood that a patient will follow up with needed dental treatment.
• Coordinate local dentists willing to provide free care during community clinic days and recruit volunteers.
• Track outcomes including number of dentists providing free or reduced-cost services, number of patients accessing transportation, number of patients who receive oral health assessments, number of patients referred for oral health services, number of patients who receive subsequent dental care and other metrics as identified.
• Assist with reporting program outcomes.
• Coordinate community clinics pop-up clinics with other TWC staff including patient engagement and communication.
• Conduct orientation for any new providers and volunteers.
• Schedule appointments, prepare bills and receive payment for dental services
• Complete insurance forms and maintain clerical records manually or using a computer

Clinic Duties

• Prepare patient, sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials and assist dentist and dental hygienist during dental procedures
• Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patient
• Expose dental diagnostic x-rays
• Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts. Pour, trim and polish study casts, fabricate custom impression trays from preliminary impressions, clean and polish removable appliances and fabricate temporary restorations
• Record treatment information in patient records
• Clean teeth using dental instruments
• Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth
• Assist dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies
• Acquire bids and purchase equipment as needed
• Participate in weekly program team huddles
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1-3 years experience in a dental environment
• Pleasant and courteous personality, along with strong phone and computer skills
• Experience with dental health maintenance, use of dental technology, infection control, health promotion, performing diagnostic procedures, etc.
• Experience with dental practice management software such as Dentrix
• Radiologic certification by the PA State Board of Dentistry
• Dental Assistant Certification
• CPR Certification

The Wright Center for GRaduate Medical Education