Dental Assistant

Staff Dental AssistantEmployees 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 ServiceShows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the publicAssists customers with questions or concerns.Patient CareSets 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 ImagingPossesses 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 SterilizationDemonstrates 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 FunctionsAssists 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 ManagementMaintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information;Follows computer security regulations.Patient SafetyModifies 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 EducationComplies with Employee Education requirements;Completes mandatory annual training sessions.Total Rewards of a Allied Health ProfessionalWork Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday-Friday, Variable based on needs of the service and at the supervisor's discretion.Compressed/Flexible: Not AvailableTelework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position.Functional Statement #: 94264O, 94254O, 94266O, 94267O