DENTAL ASSISTANT

Job Title

Dental Assistant

Job Description

This employee provides advanced remediable intra-oral dental tasks/procedures during examination and treatment of patients. Performs clinical support functions essential for the operation of a dental clinic. Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications (KSAs)

Knowledge of: Principals and working properties of various dental restorative materials. Proper use of equipment, instruments, and supplies used in performance of comprehensive dental treatment. Proper maintenance of dental equipment including hand pieces, vacuum, compressor, automatic processor, dental unit, and autoclave. CDC, OSHA, and State Dental Board rules and requirements concerning infection control rules and regulations. Safe handling of contaminated instruments and waste. Potential for exposure to HIV, HBV, TD, STDs, etc. Basic life support in the management of dental emergencies. Skills and techniques used in assistance with provision of four-handed dentistry.

Skill to: Operate a computer utilizing the appropriate software related to assigned area of responsibility. Input appropriate data into computer system. Operate equipment and instruments used in performance of assigned dental procedures. Expose, process, and mount dental radiographs. Pour and trim study models. Place dental restorative materials – metallic & non-metallic. Place sealants. Communicate in lay terms to dental patients.

Ability to: Perform dental charting (dental and periodontal). Perform assigned four-handed dentistry tasks. Maintain instruments and equipment used in examination and treatment of dental patients. Provide oral hygiene instructions. Communicate effectively orally and in writing. Interpret and clearly explain procedures, situations, and policies to the public as well as to other employees. Write legibly, clearly, and concisely using proper English. Reduce a complaint or problem to writing for recording purposes. Listen effectively. Prioritize calls and requests. Perform mathematical calculations. Organize work and follow directions, both oral and written. Show sensitivity toward the needs of patients. Manage patients with anxiety, mental illnesses, or mental retardation. Handle difficult customers or situations in a calm and professional manner. Work in a fast paced environment. Work and make decisions with little supervision.

Required Education and Experience

Each applicant must have the equivalency of a high school diploma plus training or three years of experience as a chairside Dental Assistant.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS Must have a valid Driver's License. Must have a Dental Assistant Radiographer License from the Ohio State Dental Board.

Working and Physical Conditions

Examples of Work Performed

Placement of sealants. Placement of restorative materials: amalgam, non-metallic, and direct bonding materials. Aspiration and retraction, excluding placement of gingival retraction materials. Intra-oral instrument transfer. Preliminary charting of missing and filled teeth. Elastomeric impressions for diagnostic models and models to be used for opposing models in construction of appliances and restorations. Taking impressions for the construction of custom trays. Shade selection for fabrication of appliances or restorations. Applications of topical anesthetics. Removal of periodontal dressings (packs). Pulp testing. Fluoride application, limited to liquid or gel applications. Topical applications of desensitizing agents to teeth. Application of periodontal dressings (packs). Suture removal. Placement of rubber dam over preplaced clamp and removal of clamp and rubber dam. Application of cavity varnish. Placement and removal of surgical dressings. Intra-oral bite registrations. Repair, construction, and finishing of metallic and plastic prosthetic devises. Irrigation and drying of canals during endodontic procedures. Placement of medication in the pulp chamber(s) of teeth with non-vital pulp or instrumented canals. Seat and dismiss patients. Assist patients in completion of forms. Perform direct, four-handed assistance to dentist or dental hygienist during dental treatment. Record examination findings and treatment on patients' charts. Expose, process, and mount dental radiographs. Pour and trim study models. Provide oral hygiene instructions to patients Make, confirm, and coordinate patient appointments. Keep dental operatories clean, sanitary, and organized. Sterilize instruments and maintain instruments in treatment trays. Perform routine tasks related to daily/weekly/maintenance of equipment. Assist with clinic inventory and ensure that laboratory work has been returned. Prepare records and reports. Assists those contacted in the course of duty in an effective, efficient, and professional manner.

Probationary Period Four months

Supervision Exercised None

Benefits

The City of Cincinnati offers its employees competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefit package designed to actively attract and retain quality employees to add additional value to the City of Cincinnati's workforce. A summary of these benefits for full-time employment is listed below. This is a general listing of benefits for all employees and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing for all bargaining units. The City offers a variety of training programs, ranging from job-specific skills such as computer and equipment instruction, to helping supervisors improve their management techniques. Equal Employment Opportunity The City of Cincinnati is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national or Appalachian origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.

The City of Cincinnati has 11 paid holidays annually that include: New Year's Day Martin Luther King Day President's Day Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Veterans' Day Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving Christmas

The City of Cincinnati 80/20 offers 3 medical plans to all full time City of Cincinnati employees and eligible dependents: the 80/20 PPO medical plan, the HDHP medical plan with an HSA contribution, and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement for those enrolled on another non-city eligible group plan. Eligible dependents include: Legal Spouse or Equal Partner Child (natural child, adopted child, and/or child who the group has determined is covered under a "Qualified Medical Child Support Order") Step-child Child for whom the employee or employee's spouse/equal partner is a legal guardian

A $50,000 Basic Life Insurance policy is paid for by the City for certain eligible employees. Full time employees not eligible for the City-paid basic life insurance policy are generally provided a similar benefit through their union group.

Most full time City employees are eligible to participate in a supplemental life insurance program, a long term disability plan, and accident and critical illness insurance programs at their own expense. Premiums are determined by age, amount of coverage, and various additional factors.

City employees can participate in the Healthcare Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay out-of-pocket medical, prescription, dental, and vision care expenses for employees and family members.

City employees can participate in a Dependent Care Flex Spending Account that can be used to pay work-related dependent care expenses. Participants can set aside money each year through pre-tax payroll deductions to pay for these expenses.

City employees can participate in a Transportation Expense Reimbursement Account (TERA) that can be used to reimburse expenses related to traveling to and from work. Participants can set-up a pre-tax payroll deduction up to an IRS regulated amount.

City employees can voluntarily participate in a wellness incentive program that encourages and rewards employees and their spouses/equal partners for making positive choices for better health. The City of Cincinnati will contribute up to $300/year to a Health Reimbursement Account for each the employee and their spouse/equal partner for meeting specified program goals. These dollars can be used to offset qualified out-of-pocket medical expenses.

This is a voluntary program that serves as an alternative healthcare option to traditional medical plans. If you have alternate group health coverage available to you through a spouse, equal partner, another job, or a non-city retirement plan, you may be eligible for this plan which reimburses you for the difference in premiums between the plans and your covered out of pocket expenses on the other plan.

The City provides a defined benefit pension plan for part-time and full-time employees. New hires and re-hired employees are required to participate in the City of Cincinnati's Retirement System (CRS), regardless of previous participation in an Ohio State pension system or any another state or federal pension system. CRS is funded by employer and employee contributions, and investment returns from plan assets. CRS provides retirement and health care benefits subject to eligibility requirements. The following groups are excluded from participation in CRS: Mayor and Members of City Council; Sworn Police & Fire; Police Recruits; and Rehired Ohio Police & Fire Retirees.

As an Ohio government employer, the City offers employees the ability to participate in a 457(b) tax-deferred retirement savings plan. The City makes an annual match to your 457(b) of up to $750, or as otherwise specified in applicable regulations and union contracts.