Dental Assistant

Description

JOB PURPOSE:

To enhance the daily operations of the clinic by providing excellent service and communication to our patients. A dental assistant (DAS) gives the overall impression of the company as typically patients spend most of their time with DAS’s; therefore it is vitally important to set the tone with a positive attitude.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESULTS: 

1. CHAIRSIDE ASSISTING:

• Prepare, sterilize, disinfect, and maintain dental instruments, supplies, and equipment.
• Collect and record patient health histories.
• Maintain patient management during dental procedures to make sure the patient is comfortable (i.e. proper suction, using tools in a gentle manner).
• Properly transfer instruments to the doctor and/or second DAS.
• Perform dental procedure isolation techniques. Keep patients’ mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices.
• Preparation of dental materials (cements, amalgam, composite, impression materials, etc.).
• Thorough charting of treatment information in the patients’ dental notes from the doctor.
• Assist doctor in management of medical and dental emergencies.
• Clean and polish removable instruments.
• Fabricate temporary restorations and custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
• Instruct patients on postoperative instructions and general oral health care.
• Teach patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (i.e. tooth brushing, flossing, and nutritional counseling, etc.).
• Proficient with dental software (Dentrix) for charting, treatment planning, clinical notes, etc.

2. EXPANDED FUNCTIONS:

• Expose diagnostic x-rays and take intra-oral camera pictures (as needed).
• Take impressions.
• Use and maintain diagnodent, water laser, wand, intra-oral camera, etc.
• Adapt temporary crowns for both posterior and anterior.
• Place topical medications.
• Remove excess cement from fabricated restorations and orthodontic bands.
• Insert and adjust removable mouth appliances (i.e. denture, partial, flipper, bite splint, etc.).

3. DENTAL INFECTION CONTROL PROCEDURES:

• Manage the dental office infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC, and ADA standards.
• Perform instrument cleaning, sterilization/disinfection, and re-circulation.
• Disinfect dental operatory and sterilization.

4. DENTAL LABORATORY PROCEDURES:

• Pour impressions to make models and trim models.
• Fabricate mouth guards, temporary crowns, whitening trays, custom impression trays, etc.
• Prepare casting models and dies.

5. BUSINESS OFFICE PROCEDURES:

• Schedule and confirm patient appointments.
• Pull patient charts and file paperwork.
• Answer the phone and take messages.
• Follow all forms of HIPPA and patient privacy for confidentiality.
• Greet patients and display a proper hand-off to the front office when checking a patient out.
• Make unscheduled treatment calls.

6. PATIENT & COMMUNITY EDUCATION:

• Educate patients on personal oral care instructions (post-op, temporary crowns, removable appliances, extractions, etc.).
• Take part in community dental health presentations.
• Help to provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and oral surgery.

7. DENTAL ASSISTING - SPECIALTY AREAS:

• Assist with endodontic procedures and oversee the care of the endo equipment (microscope, hand pieces, files, etc.).
• Assist with conscious sedation and oversee the patient’s blood pressure and pulse oximeter readings.
• Assist with implant procedures.
• Assist with orthodontic procedures.
• Assist with TMJ procedures.
• Assist with perio procedures.
• Assist with oral surgery procedures.

8. SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Exemplify excellent patient service by answering questions in a thorough manner and following up with the patient (when need be).
• Foster a positive attitude at work when interacting with staff and patients and be a team player.
• Practice First Choice Dental’s philosophy of 3-step communication.
• Perform work in an efficient manner and be timely with patient care.
• Provide a proper handoff to the doctor.
• Conduct unscheduled treatment calls and talk to patients about scheduling their next appointment.
• Be willing to help out at other sites (on day off or when asked).
• Help with keeping the doctor and schedule running on time.
• Respect patient privacy by maintaining a professional tone and by not discussing personal matters with other staff in front of a patient. The focus and conversation should always be centered around the patient. Keep level of voice controlled in order to not disturb other patients.
• Initiate ideas for ways the site can improve or become more efficient.
• Maintain effective organizational skills and a high attention to detail.
• Take the time to carefully explain information to patients in a non-technical manner.

Requirements

JOB QUALIFICATIONS AND JOB EVALUATION 

DOCUMENTATION

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma required   
• Dental Assisting Diploma/Certificate preferred

EXPERIENCE:

• Requires a minimum of two years of recent dental assisting experience
• High proficiency with computers and electronic communication preferred
• Dentrix software preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong interpersonal skills (making the patient feel welcome)
• Strong organizational and teamwork skills
• Ability to prioritize multiple requests efficiently
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Effective written and verbal communication skills

LICENSES/
CERTIFICATIONS:

• CPR Certification
• OSHA Certification

DECISION MAKING

• Prioritize duties
• Strong willingness to respond to patient questions/requests

BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

• Demonstrates exceptional customer service and interacts effectively with doctors, patients, vendors, visitors, team members and the broader heath care community
• Demonstrates a commitment to service, organizational values and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor at all time

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION  

• All employee records/conversations/benefit elections
• Business legal matters

HOURLY WAGE

• Based on experience

HOURS/WEEK

• Approximately 36 – 40 hours/week

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  Balancing

  Crouching

 X Hearing

  Seeing

 X Sitting

 X Carrying

 X Feeling

  Kneeling

 X Close

 X Standing

  Climbing

  Fingering

 X Lifting

  Far

  Stooping

  Crawling

 X Grasping

  Pulling

 X Color

 X Talking

  Depth

 X Walking

EXPOSURES

  Airborne Particles

  Explosives

  Muscular Strain

 Temperature

  Caustics

  Fumes

  Noise

  Toxicants

  Chemicals

  High Places

  Odors

  Vibration

  Electrical Current

  Moving Parts

  Physical Abuse

 X Vision Strain

  Weather