Registered Dental Assistant - Health Centers - Full-Time

Job Summary:
Assist the dentist in carrying out all dental procedures. This includes attending to patients, sterilizing instruments, cleaning the work area, performing office tasks, and fulfilling any other duties necessary for the smooth operation of the dental clinic. Candidates must possess strong communication skills and be able to follow both oral and written instructions effectively.

This position involves a team-based approach to care. Team members are trained to meet the highest standards of practice according to the guidelines of the states of Tennessee and Georgia. They are assigned specific roles and responsibilities to coordinate care for patients and to support patients, families, and caregivers in self-management, self-efficacy, and behavior change. Additionally, team members are responsible for managing the practice's patient population. They also participate in the practice's quality improvement processes and performance evaluations.

Job Responsibilities:
- Preparing patient operatories: Setting up treatment rooms with necessary instruments and supplies.
- Assisting During Procedures: Chairside clinical assisting in surgical and straightforward extractions, restorations, etc.
- Radiography: The ability to take effective X-rays intra-oral and extra-oral the clinic relies heavily on this skill daily.
- Sterilizing and Disinfecting: Ensuring a sterile environment by properly sterilizing and disinfecting instruments, equipment, and treatment areas and following existing clinic protocols.
- Educating Patients: Providing patients with information on relevant home care and post-procedure instructions.
- Record Keeping: Working with Electronic dental records and Updating patient charts, including medical and dental histories, medication, pharmacy details, treatment plans, and progress notes.
- Scheduling: Scheduling clinical follow-up appointments as necessary.

Skills:
- Communication Skills: Interacting with patients, dentists, and other staff members.
- Organizational Skills: Managing multiple tasks and maintaining a clean and efficient workspace. Ability to foresee and help coworkers as needed to manage patient load in the best possible way
Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in radiographs, record-keeping, and following safety protocols as instructed.

Education:
Required:
- One-year dental assistant program or equivalent.

Preferred:
- N/A

Experience:
Required:
- N/A

Preferred:
- Prior experiences are helpful but not required.

Position Requirement(s): License/Certification/Registration
Required:
- Registered Dental Assistant (Tennessee)
- Radiology Certification

Preferred:
- N/A

Department Position Summary:
The dental assistant will have the necessary skills to register patients, verify insurance information, and post charges. The employee will also be responsible for making, changing, or canceling appointments. Additionally, the employee will retrieve and file patient records, track supply inventories, and place supply orders as needed.

The dental assistant will directly attend to patients and assist the dentist in performing all dental procedures. The assistant should also have the skills to carry out basic laboratory tasks, such as pouring models and making temporary crowns.

Furthermore, the employee will clean, bag, and sterilize instruments while maintaining the sterilization log. They will also clean and disinfect the operatory after each patient's dismissal and prepare it for the next patient.

The assistant must possess strong communication skills and be able to follow both oral and written instructions.