Dental Assistant

Staff Dental Assistant Employees at this level serve as staff dental assistants at or below the full-performance level with the ability to perform routine dental-assisting duties. They receive guidance from more experienced staff members or the treating dentist for more complex patient issues and require direct daily contact with the work-site supervisor. Customer Service Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public Assists customers with questions or concerns. Patient Care Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover; Assists in routine general dental procedures using four-handed dentistry concepts, basic knowledge of instruments, materials and standardized dental procedures; Assists with basic restorative procedures; Responds to basic medical emergencies; Uses knowledge of vital signs to measure and record vital signs; Provides pre- and post-operative and other appropriate patient education instructions; Maintains a field of operation during dental procedures through the use of retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, placing and removing cotton rolls; Mixes basic dental materials; Assists in preparation of laboratory prescription forms; Applies pressure indicator paste to removable prostheses; Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably; Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions; Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection-control protocols; Monitors, and performs basic interpretation of, patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure; Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site; Provides procedure-specific, patient-preventative education and oral hygiene instruction; Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays; Performs other dental laboratory functions as needed; Maintains dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards; Relays patient concerns to treating dentist; May perform other duties as required. Dental Imaging Possesses ability to identify normal anatomy; Exposes and processes basic dental radiographs; Mounts and labels dental radiographs and/or saves digital imaging to electronic medical records: Evaluates radiographs for diagnostic quality; Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider; Captures images characterized by diagnostic quality that are accurately oriented and exposed; Utilizes dental-imaging safety techniques; Accomplishes imaging requests within desired time frame; Maintains routine dental equipment per manufacturer and dental service standards. Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories; Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination; Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPS for sterilization; Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment; Demonstrates proper infection-control procedures in exposing images. Clerical Functions Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments; Initiates computerized progress note; Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records. Information Management Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information; Follows computer security regulations. Patient Safety Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position); Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients; Participates in patient identification and time out per The Joint Commission requirements; Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress. Employee Education Complies with Employee Education requirements; Completes mandatory annual training sessions. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday-Friday, Variable based on needs of the service and at the supervisor's discretion. Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 94264O, 94254O, 94266O, 94267O