Dental Assistant

Position Overview:

To provide assistance to the staff dentists and hygienists in order to provide quality dental services for patients. This work is carried out in support of the mission and goals of Ryan Health.

Essential Functions:

• Act as chairside assistant to the dentist/dental hygienist, utilizing accepted four-handed assisting techniques.
• Take dental radiographs utilizing proper radiographic protocol.
• Perform accepted infection control techniques in compliance with the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, and Center policies and procedures.
• Disinfect and package dental instruments for sterilization procedures following accepted protocol.
• Perform basic dental laboratory procedures (e.g., pouring dental impressions, trimming study models, etc.
• Set up the dental operatory at the start of the day; close and disinfect the operatory at the end of the day.
• Replenish necessary dental supplies in dental operatories, and maintain operatories in an organized manner.
• Maintain incoming and outgoing dental laboratory cases.
• Assist in the maintenance of dental equipment (e.g., cleaning of autoclaves and x-ray film processors; maintenance of dental handpieces.)
• Provide assistance in the dental reception area as needed, including scheduling appointments utilizing the electronic health record scheduling system and confirming dental appointments through telephone reminders.
• Assist in organizing and preparing dental patient charts.
• Assist in the processing of referral forms, etc. when required.
• Assist in maintaining inventory of dental supplies and equipment.
• Assist in teaching Oral Health Education to patients and community groups.
• Immediately report any problems, unusual occurrences to supervisor.
• Must demonstrate a professional, courteous and respectful attitude in dealing with patients, immediate supervisor and other employees.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Experience and Skills Required:

• Two to three years of chairside dental experience.
• Experience working with people.
• Good organizational skills
• Bi-lingual Spanish-speaking preferred

Education, Licenses and/or Certifications Required:

High School Diploma or Equivalency

Preferred Qualifications:

Dental Assistant Certification Preferred.

Competencies Required:

Customer Service:

• Professional, courteous and respectful attitude in dealing with patients.
• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patient served (if applicable).
• Commits to exceeding expectations of the patient.

Cooperation/Teamwork

• Works well with others.
• Contributes input to improve outcomes.
• Asks others for opinions and feedback; provides feedback in a tactful respectful way.

Minimal Training Time:

90-day introductory period.


Working Conditions:

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.

The employee is occasionally required to move about the office; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate office equipment.


Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.


Work Environment

Work with radiation under the strictness of supervision and rules and regulations.

Disclaimer

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This position may be required to perform other duties. If such work becomes a permanent and regular part of the job, a new description will be prepared.


Equal Opportunity Employer

Ryan Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital or family status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.