Dental Assistant

Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to:
Customer Service - Shows Curtesy, respect, and positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public - Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.

Chairside Assisting- Sets up operatory 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 tissue 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- Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and surgical periodontics

Dental Imaging- Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed- Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes and minimized- Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame.

Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization- Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories-Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPD standards- Instruments are prepared in a manner that does not delay clinical care-Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images.

Clerical Functions - Assists patients is scheduling appointments - Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancelations and failed appointments - 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 JCAHO requirements - Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress -Obtain and records patient vital signs: BP, pulse, and pulse oximeter at the beginning of the dental appointment.

Employee Education -Complies with Employee Education requirements - Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.

Dental Laboratory Functions- Pours impressions and prepares study models - Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims -Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.

Direct Patient care- Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing -Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication -Remove temporary crown/bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris -Recement and fabricate temporary crowns -Coronal polishing of teeth -Place rubber dams and matrix bands -Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.