Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty as listed below.

Essential Duties:

• Records treatment information on the patient's chart, including treatment rendered, the type of treatment planned and the amount of chair time, doctor time and assistant time needed for next appointment.
• Assists the doctor by passing instruments, aspirating intra-oral fluids, mixing materials and medicaments during examinations or treatment.
• Provides customer service support to patients by escorting them to and from the treatment room and prepping them for care by the doctor.
• Exposes, develops, and mounts full mouth X-rays.
• Prepares all treatment rooms including, but not limited to, set-up, decontamination, sterilization of all instruments, cleaning and restocking.
• Maintains cleanliness of the dark room, lab and sterilizing area.
• Changes all chemical solutions, i.e., disinfectant soaks and sprays, sterilents, ultrasonic, presoak and x-ray processing.
• Reviews patient's medical history, progress from the previous visit, if applicable, and the scheduled treatment plan with each patient.
• Takes impressions for diagnostic and opposing models.
• Ensures lights, units, nitrous equipment and automatic processors are turned on prior to the first patient.
• Applies non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents and fluoride.
• Inspects patient's oral cavity and charts lesions, existing restorations and missing teeth.
• Places and removes temporary sedative dressings and post-extraction and periodontal dressings.
• Helps administer nitrous oxide to patients as applicable.
• Cleans x-ray-processing rollers, hand pieces, vacuum traps, and sharp instruments.
• Places and removes rubber dams.
• Places, wedges, and holds and removes anterior matrices.
• Obtains endodontic cultures.
• Dries canals with absorbent points.
• Tests pulp vitality.
• Places bases and liners on dentin.
• Removes excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth.
• Sizes stainless steel crowns, temporary crowns, and bands.
• Performs coronal polishing.
• Pours and trims study models.
• Monitors incoming and outgoing lab cases.
• Orders supplies.
• Maintains plaster trap and lab counter areas.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Skilled in the use of standard dental office equipment including: Autoclave, model trimmer, X-ray machine - Pano, Panoramic X-ray, X-ray processor, X-ray duplicator, ultrasonic, Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide, Laser, Intra Oral camera, Vacu-press, Pach gun, KCP 2000, Whip-Mix and hand pieces.
• Ability to take blood pressure, attach EKG leads, and read monitors.
• Knowledge of cross contamination and how to prevent it.
• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism when exposed to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and changes.
• Ability to take radiographs, including FMX, Pano and anterior PA's.
• Knowledge of English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Skilled in the use of standard office equipment including: telephones, calculators, copiers, fax, computers, and computer software (MS Excel, Word, Practice Management software).
• Ability to engender trust from the doctors, co-workers, and patients.
• Ability to work cooperatively with management, staff, and patients.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete tasks in a timely and independent manner.
• Ability to accept constructive criticism.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate and express thoughts and ideas competently.
• Ability to quickly grasp relevant concepts regarding duties and responsibilities.

Education / Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum of 1 year(s) relevant experience in the dental profession

Special Requirements/Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid X-ray certificate
• CPR & first aid certificate

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

• May be required to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Hand-eye coordination and hand, arm, and finger mobility for detailed work with objects.
• May be required to physically assist drowsy patients after anesthesia.
• Active movement throughout the day: sitting, walking, standing, squatting, bending, stooping, reaching, etc. (not a sedentary position).
• Vision: close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Hearing: able to satisfactorily communicate with patients, doctor, and other staff members to ensure that verbal communication is clearly understood, particularly during emergency situations.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or operate equipment.
• May be required to administer CPR.
• Occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and radiation.
• Exposure to moderate noise levels.
• Exposure to hectic, fast-paced, high anxiety environments.

Additional or different duties may be assigned occasionally at employer's discretion. Must be willing to travel occasionally and work weekends.