Summary:
Under the supervision of the Dental Director, the Certified Dental Assistant renders dental care to patients. The Dental Assistant performs semi-technical dental and routine clerical work in a dental department located in a community health center. Work involves assisting the dentist during examinations and treatment, cleanings, sterilizing, and arranging instruments, and assisting dentist with x-rays.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Completes initial assessment of patient according to department Policy and Procedures and documents appropriately.
- Takes and record pulse, blood pressure and temperature.
- Notes individual patient's limitations and dental needs.
- Reassesses patient according to departmental guidelines and documents appropriately.
- Applies the dental process to each patient and implements limited dental actions
- Follows plan of care for each patient
- Receive dentist orders, records and assures completion.
- Assists dentist with exams and procedures.
- Documents the care provided to patients, and their reaction to that care.
- Recognizes emergency situations and responds appropriately.
- Seats and prepares patients adjusts dental chair.
- Arranges dental instruments and materials for each patient, assists dentist with instrumentation, medication and management of the patient during treatment procedures.
- Assists dentist in the use of highly specialized dental equipment, such as the x-ray machine, aspirator, and amalgamator.
- Mixes and prepares solutions and materials for fillings, washes and sterilizes instruments and clean work area following treatment.
- Takes radiographs of patients as prescribed by dentist. File x-ray films and case reports.
- Charts information dictated by the dentist on the chart such as lesions, missing teeth, etc.
- Act as a communication link between dentist and receptionist.
- Performs routine dental laboratory work.
- Performs routine maintenance of dental equipment, i.e., oiling of hand pieces and contra-angles.
- Orders dental and office supplies.
- Provides patient, family, significant other teaching as opportunities arise or as need is identified.
- Presents group instruction in oral health care utilizing models and audio visual aids.
- Conducts oral hygiene instructions with patients and parents of juveniles.
- Explains dental care procedures using correct terminology; supplements explanation with reasons why
- School Age
- Adolescent/Adult
- Geriatrics
- Utilizes appropriate resources to accommodate age, education, cultural and communication barriers.
- Initiates referrals as needed per dentist and appropriate follow-up.
- Other duties as assigned.