BILINGUAL REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

POSITION SUMMARY

The Registered Dental Assistant provides comprehensive chairside support to a licensed dentist and/or hygienist, facilitating efficient delivery of high-quality patient care. In addition to clinical responsibilities, this role performs essential administrative and clerical functions to ensure the smooth and effective operation of the dental clinic. Assists with language translation for patients as needed to ensure clear, accurate communication and enhance access to care.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides chairside assistance by retracting the patient's cheek, tongue, and oral tissues, and effectively manages moisture control using suction and air/water syringes to maintain a clear operative field.
• Obtains diagnostic dental radiographs, including exposing and processing X-rays of the teeth, jaws, and surrounding oral structures in accordance with safety standards.
• Assists with clinical procedures by applying topical anesthetics and medications; placing rubber dams; removing excess cement from restorations; placing matrix bands; adjusting orthodontic ligatures; and removing sutures as directed by the dentist.
• Performs basic dental assessments, including dietary and salivary evaluations, and adheres to strict infection control protocols in compliance with OSHA and CDC guidelines.
• Provides patient education on proper oral hygiene techniques; accurately charts oral conditions and treatment provided in the patient record.
• Maintains and disinfects dental equipment, including flushing and cleaning evacuation systems according to established protocols.
• Completes required clinical and administrative documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Coordinates patient scheduling, including recall appointments, to support continuity of care and optimal clinic flow.
• Manages inventory of dental supplies and equipment; places orders, tracks usage, coordinates equipment maintenance and repairs, and evaluates products and pricing.
• Tracks and monitors dental laboratory cases to ensure timely case completion and proper communication with dental laboratories.
• Performs all duties within the scope of practice for a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), in accordance with applicable state regulations.
• Compliance with Treatment Plans (OTP Guidelines)

Adhere to guidelines associated with approved treatment plans (OTP), ensuring alignment with payer and organizational standards.

• Language Access and Translation Support

Provides language translation assistance for patients as needed to ensure clear, accurate, and culturally sensitive communication. Supports patient understanding of dental services, treatment plans, and administrative processes, thereby enhancing access to care and promoting a positive patient experience.

• Operational Flexibility

Provide coverage and support across multiple dental practice locations as needed.

• Performs additional duties as assigned to support clinical operations and enhance patient care delivery.

Expanded Functions

• Performs coronal polishing procedures and mechanically polishes restorative surfaces in accordance with established clinical guidelines.
• Places and removes provisional (temporary) restorations as directed by the supervising dentist.
• Monitors patient status and comfort levels during the administration of nitrous oxide sedation, ensuring patient safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Applies pit and fissure sealants to prevent dental caries, following evidence-based clinical protocols.

JOBS THIS POSITION DIRECTLY SUPERVISES

If no supervisory duties, leave blank.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education: High school diploma plus Registered Dental Assistant Program along with Expanded Functions education.

Experience: Bilingual with one to two years experience performing fundamental and expanded duties of a registered dental assistant as outlined by the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry; experience completing dental radiographs and alginate impressions; and experience performing clerical duties associated with a dental office.

Licenses or Certifications: Registered to practice as an expanded function Dental Assistant as stipulated by the Laws and Administrative Rules of the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry. CPR Certification is required.

Mental Requirements

Level 1 - Requires some concentration and normal attention. Generally, once the job is learned, the tasks can be performed more or less automatically.

X

Level 2 - Requires high periods of concentration intermittently and normal attention. Generally, even once the job is learned, tasks will require normal attention to deal with recurring variables.

Level 3 - Requires a high level of concentration and high level of attention intermittently. Generally, the approach to tasks may be consistent, but the number of steps required and/or the number of variables involved creates the possibility of errors unless the incumbent pays close attention.

Physical Requirements

Activity

Approximate % of Time

Comments

Sitting

30%

May sit while assisting dentist, working the front desk, or working on computer

Standing

30%

Assisting the dentist, sterilizing instruments, taking x-rays, pulling files

Walking

40%

Greeting patients, taking x-rays, getting supplies

100%

Approximate percentage of time spent lifting, pulling and/or pushing: 15%

Maximum number of pounds required (with or without assistance): 30 lbs.

Types of objects the incumbent is required to lift/pull/push. Patients in wheelchairs, boxes of supplies, moving the patient chair

Machines and Equipment Used:

Machines, Equipment, Tools

Approximate % of Time

Degree of Hand:Eye Coordination Required

• Dental Chairs

50%

High

• Dental x-ray machine

50%

High

• Computers

50%

High

• Dental instruments

50%

High

• Autoclave

50%

High

• Processor

50%

High

Approximate percentage of time incumbent spends in "on-the-job" travel, excluding commuting to regular work location: 25% travel between various work sites

Working Conditions

Exposure to fumes from chemicals (developer fixer); intense light under the dental light; exposure to varying weather conditions when traveling between worksites; exposure to contagious and infectious disease; possible burns from the autoclave.