Dental Assistant

TITLE: Dental Assistant DEPARTMENT: Dental

NATURE OF POSITION: Performs those duties that assist the dental manager, dentists, and hygienists in the care of and treatment of patients. Performs duties in the fields of reception, chair-side assisting, inventory, and records.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from high school minimal
• Previous dental assisting experience preferred
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish preferred
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients and staff
• Can motivate patients to follow guidance given to them by dentists and hygienists
• Prepare and maintain charts, records, logs and reports.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the dentist and hygienist in chair-side procedures
• Amalgams
• Composites
• Oral surgery
• Endodontics
• Prophylaxis
• Sealants
• Stainless steel crowns
• Space maintainers
• Removable Prostodontics
• Responsible for the preparation and setting up of instruments.
• Dating of all sterilized instruments
• Ultrasonic cleaning of all dirty instruments prior to bagging
• Sterilization of all appropriate instruments.
• Daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance and monitoring of equipment
• Compressor
• Sterilizers
• Radiographic developing equipment
• Evacuator systems.
• Assist dentist in operating room:
• Obtains operating room privileges
• Maintenance of supplies in operating room box
• Transportation of necessary equipment.
• Follows all OSHA standards and institutional policies as stated in Regulatory Compliance Manual, and Health Center Policy and Procedure Manual
• Assists in obtaining prior approval for selective Medicaid Procedures
• Assists dentists with school sealant projects
• Maintains supplies in sealant box
• Assists in transportation of equipment
• Chairside assists in the schools
• Completes and maintains dental laboratory forms
• Maintains all dental lab slips for a minimum of two (2) years
• Sends all cases to the lab
• Notifies patient when appliance is ready
• Pours and disinfects dental impressions
• Orders and maintains dental supplies
• Assists front desk with clerical duties as needed
• Radiology services
• Exposes and processes dental
• Maintains and updates Radiation Safety Program annually
• Maintains and monitors all dosimeter badges
• Performs all duties as allowed by the state board of Medical Examiners
• Topical fluoride application
• Topical anesthetic application
• Other duties as assigned by dental providers

ORGANIZATION:

• Exhibits enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and professionalism in the workplace
• Handles personal conflict and works through it at the lowest possible level (first with party/parties involved, then if necessary, with 3rd party mediation)
• Displays a friendly manner and is easy to approach
• Maintains a neat, clean, well-groomed, appearance and dresses in accordance with the dress code policy
• Leaves personal problems out of the workplace
• Treats all co-workers with dignity and respect
• Abstains from gossip in the workplace
• Arrives on time and works through designated hours
• Completes tasks effectively, accurately and on time
• Demonstrates little or no absenteeism/follows leave guidelines
• Follows designated line of support
• Display a willingness and flexibility to respond to unusual job-related demands
• Manages time well
• Recognizes and assists others in the work of the department, even though the work may be outside of regular duties
• Shares equally in the workload of the department
• Works cooperatively with all team members and departments
• Works independently requesting assistance from supervisor only as needed
• Abstains from criticizing COFMC, colleagues and supervisors
• Demonstrates loyalty to COFMC, colleagues and supervisors
• Demonstrates support of the mission and vision of COFMC
• Accepts and participates in cross training
• Takes initiative to identify skill development needs
• Commitment to the mission of COFMC