Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Performs a variety of tasks to assist in the prophylactic therapeutic, and surgical treatment of oral and maxillofacial patients. Prepares dental patients, assists dentists during procedures, and maintains instruments and supplies. Provides chair side assistance, sterilizes instruments, and sets up surgical trays. Performs duties according to established guidelines based upon standards of the dental profession.

Minimum Qualifications

Work Experience: Previous experience as a dental assistant preferred.

Education: Completion of a Dental Assistant training program (OR) equivalent experience working in a related field required.

Certifications/Licensure: Certification by the Certifying Board of the American Dental Assistants Association preferred.

Job Specific Performance Standards

The duties listed below are a summary of the major essential functions of this position. The position may require other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned, and specific functions may change from time to time.

• Provides chair side assistance. Assists in the dental treatment of patients to include providing dentist with instruments and equipment, opens and mixes emalgums, chart examination and treatment results on patient's dental record.
• Assists dentist with sizing stainless steel crowns or other temporary crowns when required. Performs temporary cementation and removal of temporary crowns. Removes excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth with instrument or floss.
• Prepares patient for dental exam. Flosses and rinses mouth as required by dentist.
• Develops and mounts intra and extra oral radiographs used in diagnosis and treatment of patients.
• Records treatment results on patient's dental record; instructs patients in the care of teeth and appliances; provides instructional materials as required.
• Schedules and confirms appointments and processes dental records as required. Maintains electronic schedule of dental appointments and provides monthly statistics as requested.
• Transitions operatory from day to evening clinic. Supervises sterilization process for dental instruments, stocks supplies and prepares operatory for use before each shift.
• Initiates routine maintenance of operatory equipment. Cleans and maintains xray processor, autoclave and ultrasonic equipment
• Prepares supply requisitions and relays needs to Director.
• Relays request for referral services to Clinical Director for process into referral system. Provides patient with referral instruction. Relays request for medication orders and instructs patient about pharmacy hours of operation.