SUMMARY: The Dental Assistant, under direct supervision, shall assist the dentist, dental students, and residents in the performance of their duties. The Dental Assistant CAN NOT EXPOSE DENTAL RADIOGRAPHS OR PROCESS AND SCAN RADIOGRAPHS, INCLUDING DIGITAL.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following are indicative of the essential functions required to perform this job successfully. Other duties may be assigned by management.
Read and understand Dental Policy and Procedure Manual.
Anticipate and assist Dentist needs at all times
When bringing patient to operatory greet patient and introduce yourself and inform the patient of the dentist that will be rendering services. Seat patient and setup for procedure.
Work with interruptions and manage multiple tasks.
Maintain patient comfort and be sensitive to patient’s dental related fears.
Enter patients’ personal information, review and scan medical history, and enter complete treatment plan.
Prepare dental instruments, materials, and medications as required for each procedure.
1. Promote treatment plans and encourage patients to begin treatment.
2. Maintain instrument and operatory infection control.
3. Keep sterilization and storage room clean and organized.
4. Oil hand pieces and sterilize according to manufacturer’s guidelines.
5. Prepare impressions and/or models for removable prosthetics. 11. Complete lab slips for lab work to be done making sure all information is correct with dates, signatures, and shades. Contact the labs for pick up and delivery and be sure that cases are sent to the correct lab. Keep a file of lab slip copies in case there are questions or concerns regarding a case.
12. At the end of each visit prior to dismissing the patient, make sure the patient’s chart is complete indicating procedures completed for the today and the procedure is to be completed at the next visit.
13. Maintain a clean and organized operatory at all times. At the beginning of each appointment the operatory should be clean, stocked, and ready for a patient.
14. Perform routine maintenance, including but not limited to the lubrication of equipment, the sharpening of dental hand instrument, the cleaning and maintenance of instruments and equipment, changing of needed solutions.
Maintain darkroom, solution supplies and equipment maintenance.
Aid the dentist in placing the patient at ease through reassuring conversation and actions.
Clean and organize dental lab and clean impressions trays.
Order, store, label, and organize supplies and equipment.
Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and follow all TOSHA, HIPAA, and Joint Commission rules and regulations.
Responsible for the maintenance of patient confidentiality and adherence to Patient Rights and Responsibilities, as issued in the New Hire Orientation.
Adheres to all MWCHC policies and procedures.
Arrives at work on time and complies with MWCHC attendance and tardiness policies.
Possesses the ability to get along with co-workers, patients and visitors.
Performs all other duties as assigned by management. QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
Experience working in a dental office. In the process of obtaining/renewing registration with the Tennessee Board of Dentistry or obtaining certification for Exposure of Radiographs. Candidates renewing registration with the Board of Dentistry must provide copy of diploma and official transcript from an accredited Dental Assistant program or letter of completing training in a dental office. Candidates must have a valid CPR certification, which must be maintained throughout employment.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations. Requires in-depth knowledge of general dental terminology. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute basic percentages.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule format.
OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Requires excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
Must possess the ability to work efficiently and effectively with all levels of the organization and patients from varying backgrounds. Ability to use fax machine, office copier, and computer required. Excellent organizational skills with acute attention to detail are a must.
Employee must be proficient in the following skills, as required of certification:
? History-taking by questionnaire;
? Assistance in emergency procedures;
? Impressions, including the selection and preparation of trays, the mixing of impression materials, and the alignments of the impression.
? Bite and registration for mounting study models.
? Dry field maintenance, including the use of cotton roll placement and saliva ejection, high velocity evacuation, and retraction.
? Oral surgical assistance, including retraction, aspiration, and irrigation.
? Rubber dam application, including the preparation of the mouth to receive the rubber dam, clamp selection, the punching of the dam, and techniques for the isolation of a quadrant of teeth.
? Application of cavity varnishes.
? Finishing cement bases with hand instruments.
? Placing and removing matrix retainer and wedges.
? Removal of all surgical sutures, surgical dressings, and the cleansing of areas of healing and the replacement of surgical dressings.
? Application of fluoride preparations after a thorough prophylaxis by the dentist or dental hygienist.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and some extended standing; use of hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk and hear. Individuals may occasionally lift up to 15 lbs.
Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, peripheral vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Works in a typical clinical environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. May require potential exposure to at-risk health conditions, blood borne pathogens, chemicals, medications, O2 and other potential safety and/or health hazards typical of a dental clinic environment. Employees are required to comply with MWCHC, state and federal OSHA regulations as they pertain to these factors, and others typical of a dental clinical setting.
COMMENTS:
This position is considered medium work with occasional repetitive motion.
I have read the above Dental Assistant job description, and I fully understand the requirements that will be expected of me in this position.
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