Registered Dental Assistant (48364)

Overall Summary:

The Dental Assistant (DA) performs a variety of dental assisting duties while promoting a safe and clean environment for quality dental care. These duties include but are not limited to assisting the doctor, and teaching patients how to care for their teeth. Communicates effectively with the patient; maintains equipment and inventory, cleans, sterilizes and packages instruments and follows standard precautions, OSHA requirements and dental board auxiliaries regulations. The DA works on behalf of the patient and the dentist helping to assure a high level of professional excellence in oral health care delivery.

Essential Responsibilities:

Under the general direction of the Dental Assistant Supervisor the Dental Assistant performs a variety of complex, professional, analytical, and confidential dental services. Duties include:

• Digital dental radiographs (x-rays) and dental photographs.
• Assists the dentist during a variety of examinations and treatment procedures: instrument transfer, dental procedure isolation techniques and preparation of dental materials.
• Prepares treatment rooms, instruments and cassettes for procedures.
• Greets and prepares patients for treatment.
• Conducts work in compliance with office policies and procedures, safety, OSHA, MSDS guidelines and the Dental Board of CA and COMDA.
• Records medical and dental history and vital signs of patients.
• Records visit information in the electronic patient record (QSI).
• Pours, trims and polishes study casts; fabricates custom impression trays from preliminary impressions: cleans and polishes removable appliances and fabricates temporary restorations.
• Serves as an infection control officer, follows infection control protocols and sterilizes and disinfects instruments and equipment.
• Helps patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
• Provides patients with instructions for oral care following dental treatment procedures, such as the placement of a restoration (filling).
• Teaches patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health: (e.g. tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling).
• Assists patients with referrals and follow up appointments.
• Takes impressions of patient's teeth for study casts (models of teeth).
• Communicates with patients and suppliers (e.g. scheduling appointments, answering the telephone and billing).
• Helps to provide direct patient care in all dental procedures.
• Prepares and maintains dental instruments, supplies and equipment.
• Performs and keeps office records related to Equipment maintenance (daily, monthly, quarterly and yearly): Communicates and coordinates equipment repairs. Keeps Inventory control.
• Coordinates lab cases with different labs: assures timely pick-up and delivery of cases.
• Involved with prevention and management of dental medical emergencies.
• Participates in the achievement of patient satisfaction and office production goals by working efficiently and providing a high level of patient service.
• Participates actively in staff meetings.

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Attend workshops, training, and meetings as needed, and as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor