Dental Assistant I

Summary of Position: 

Assists dentists in all aspects of dental care delivery, including advanced or specialized dental assistant duties. 

• Assists dentist in all phases of dental care, based on detailed knowledge of different dentists’ techniques and preferences.
• May assist with specialized dentistry, such as cleanings, extractions, restorative treatment, and endo treatment.
• Takes, develops, and mounts x-rays correctly. May perform complex or specialized radiography.
• Sets up and sterilizes exam rooms and equipment, in accordance with universal safety precautions and other safety standards.
• May order and stock supplies and maintain equipment.
• May instruct patients in proper oral health techniques.
• Answers inquiries from patients (faculty, students, and staff) related to clinic administrative functions, and schedules appointments.
• May perform initial assessment or triage incoming patients.
• May assist in training new dental assistants.
• May maintain and prepare dental records and reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Giving patients information on dental hygiene, oral health care, and plaque control program.
• Training new staff/student. 

Daily Duties

1. Chair-side Assisting: Assists the dentist in providing dental treatment.    

• Preparing and maintaining dental instruments, supplies, and equipment.
• Collecting and recording patient health histories
• Patient management during dental procedures
• Instrument transfer
• Dental procedure isolation techniques
• Preparation of dental materials, cement, amalgam, composite, impression materials, etc.
• Dental charting
• Prevention and management of dental, medical emergencies
• Inventory control and management

2.Expanded Functions    

• Taking dental x-rays
• Applying topical fluoride treatments
• Placing topical medications
• Placing sealant materials

 3. Dental Infection Control Procedures    

• Managing the dental office infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC, and ADA standards.
• Instrument cleaning, sterilization/disinfection, and re-circulation
• Dental treatment room disinfection

 4. Dental Laboratory Procedures   

• Pouring impressions to make stone and plaster models
• Model trimming
• Fabricating mouth guards, temporary crowns, and custom impression trays.
• Preparing casting models and dies
• Fabricating orthodontic retainers and other appliances

 5.Patient and Community Education   

• Delivering patient personal oral care instructions

Able to communicate effectively. Interacts in a friendly, professional manner with a wide range of staff, physicians and public. Plan, prioritize and complete delegated task with attention to detail. Ability to multitask and work well under pressure is essential. Requires excellent organizational, problem solving and critical thinking skills. Requires the ability to maintain confidentiality. Must be able to function as part of a team.

Experience: At least, 1 or more years of clinical experience as a dental assistant required. Computer literacy: Dentrix Enterprise or other dental practice management software a plus. 

Additional skills required:  Ability to work effectively with consumers from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds; Ability to work independently and use critical thinking skills; Excellent interpersonal & customer service skills; Strong oral & written communication skills; Demonstrates a positive attitude and respectful, professional customer service. Acknowledges patient’s rights on confidentiality issues, maintains patient confidentiality at all times, and follows HIPAA guidelines and regulations. Proactively acts as patient advocate, responding with empathy and respect to resolve patient and family concerns, and recognizes opportunities for improvement to meeting patient concerns. Proactively continues to educate self on providing quality care and improving professional skills. Bilingual in both English/Spanish is required. 

Education: Completion of a certified dental assistant training program required. Radiographic certification required. 

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Repetitive movement of hands and fingers – typing and/or writing.
• Lifting of greater than 50 pounds
• Occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling or crouching.