Dental Assistant

Title: Dental Assistant

Reports to: Director of Dental Operations

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Personnel Supervised: None

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position prepares dental patients for evaluation, assists the dentists in providing dental care to patients, and is responsible for maintaining sterile dental equipment and a clean, well-stocked, and efficient dental department.

MINIMAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of a dental assistant program
• Expanded Functions Certificate for Dental Assistants
• Dental Radiographer certificate
• Current valid BLS Certification

RESPONSIBILTIES AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Obtain proficient knowledge of CFHC's programs' philosophies, goals and objectives. Comply with all policies and procedures as well as state and federal guidelines.
2. Understand the requirements of CFHC's exposure control plan. Utilize Universal Precautions.
3. Attend Dental staff meetings as well as mandatory corporate meeting.
4. Assist with Quality Control processes.
5. Suture removal.
6. Placing and removing periodontal dressing.
7. Assist the dentists in operative, surgical, periodontal, preventive, removal and fixed prosthodontic, endodontic, and pedodontic procedures.
8. Provide diagnostic aid including exposing radiographs, taking and recording medical and dental histories, recording vital signs, and taking preliminary impressions for study casts.
9. Apply sealants and fluoride. Perform prophylaxis and give oral hygiene instruction to children.
10. Prepare the patient and coordinate arrival and departure of patients with receptionist.
11. Sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment.
12. Give postoperative instructions to patients as ordered by dentist.
13. Prepare tray set-up for dental procedures.
14. Assist in managing medical and dental emergencies.
15. Clean dental laboratory, operative, autoclave, x-ray processor, and ultrasonic cleaner.
16. Assist dentist in screening and education programs, including offsite.
17. Check dental patients in and out at the front desk when necessary.
18. Coordinate services with offsite dental lab as needed.
19. Maintain adequate supplies in the dental department, submitting requisitions to Facilities Manager after approval by Director of Dental Operations.
20. Maintain OSHA standards with regard to handling and removal of red bags with bio-hazardous waste.
21. Maintain complete dental patient records.
22. Exhibit enthusiasm, dependability, skills, versatility, and dedication in daily activities.
23. Demonstrate ability to work cooperatively with other members of the dental team. Be supportive of coworkers.
24. Communicate with patients in a compassionate manner, maintaining HIPPA compliance.
25. Maintain neat and professional appearance at all times.
26. Other duties as assigned by the Director of Dental Operations.

Additional Preferred Performance Skills:

Bilingual (Spanish)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Standing/walking/sitting for long periods
2. Independently mobile
3. Ability to lift weight equivalents to what would be required when (and if) asked to assist and position patients, reposition equipment and lift supplies.
4. Ability to adapt and function in varying environments of workload, patient acuity, worksites and work shifts.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement: External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.