RDA/DENTAL ASSISTANCE

Duties

Help

Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public

Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns and service recovery

Sets up operatory and/or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover

Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently

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

Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry

Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration

Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards

Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and/or digital formats

Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories

Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination

Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment

Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed

Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images

Utilizes all proper PPE per national and local policies

Follows all hospital infection control protocols including hand hygiene

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

Locates/tracks all pending patient lab cases for use during patient appointments

Properly completes all dental laboratory cards

Monitors 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 and applies topical fluoride

Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication

Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses

Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction

Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education

Performs related duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Telework: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

US Department of Veterans Affairs