Certified Dental Assistant

Position Summary:

The Certified Dental Assistant shall successfully complete the Dental Assisting National Board Certification examination. The CDA shall be responsible for all assisting duties, including preparing the patient for dental treatment, assisting the dentist chairside and setting up correct equipment for the procedure to be performed, cleaning (disinfection) and sterilizing instruments and chairside environment, performing x-rays, performing necessary laboratory work, instructing patients with post-op care, oral hygiene instruction and other necessary instructions as needed while maintaining a friendly, warm atmosphere for his/her patient, keeping them calm and at ease as much as possible. This job description is illustrative of the duties that the Dental Assistant will be performing.

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

The Certified Dental Assistant must:

• Document a minimum of 12 hours of training containing education annually.

• Provide in-services for other DA’s.

• Assure that all instruments, digital charts and radiographs are in the operatory prior to the arrival of the patient.

• Call and direct the patient to the appropriate area of the clinic for anticipated treatment needs.

• Take digital x-rays suitable for diagnostic purposes.

• Provide proper instrument set-ups for assigned dental procedure.

• Remain chairside and assist dentist directly during patient treatment (unless dentist gives permission to leave chairside), the patient is never left alone following the administering of anesthesia. Dismiss patient following completion of treatment.

• Provide a sterile supply of Dental Instruments/Cassettes.

• Provide proper instruments, in the proper sequence, for any given treatment procedure.

• Prepare dental materials correctly, as needed, and in an amount sufficient to meet the needs of the procedure.

• Anticipate the sequence of dental procedures and is prepared well in advance so the dentist can work as efficiently as possible.

• Maintain a clean working area.

• Record all exam findings completely and accurately in the patient chart.

• Act as an interpreter between patient and dentist, as needed.

• Instruct patients in oral hygiene techniques (Brushing & Flossing), performs rubber cup and toothbrush prophylaxis and Topical Fluoride applications.

• Give postoperative instructions verbally and/or written to patients after treatment.

• Take Study Model Impressions and pour, trim, and label models.

• Fabricate Custom Trays and perform certain other laboratory procedures such as denture repairs, mouth guard fabrication, etc.

• Disinfect dental chair exposed to Body Fluids after patient is dismissed and before next patient is seated.

• Complete all chairside clean-up procedures in a timely manner after patient is dismissed and before next patient is seated (this includes air/water syringe and light handles).

• Scrub all appropriate instruments individually with CaviCide and place them in Ultrasonic Cleaner, utilizing Heavy Duty gloves.

• Sterilize instruments, (Autoclave or heat sterilized). Those items which cannot be autoclaved, or heat sterilized, are placed in disinfecting (sterilizing) solution for appropriate length of time.

• Clean and sterilize dental handpieces after each patient contact.

• Responsible for cleanliness of physical clinic (i.e., necessary housekeeping) and periodic maintenance of filters and traps.

• Responsible for maintaining stock of supplies at chairside unit and reporting which items need to be re-ordered.

• Responsible for demonstrating good personal hygiene and especially good personal oral hygiene as an example to patients.

• Accept delegation of only those duties within personal skill levels.

• Maintain Standard Precaution Guidelines at all times during patient care (wearing PPE’s) and washing hands before and after de-gloving.

• Observed clinic hours. Report for duty as assigned by Support Staff Supervisor (coming in at 7:30 a.m. and leaving after 6:00 p.m. possibilities).

• Notify Dentist in Charge or Support Staff Supervisor if expects to be late or absent. Follow Dental Clinic Leave Guidelines.

• Maintain sterilization room and lab area in as clean orderly manner.

• Treat patients with dignity and respect always. Answer all questions completely with honesty while ensuring that the clinic atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.

• Work at any of the Sage Clinics as assigned by the Dentist in Charge or Support Staff Supervisor.

• Maintain Inventory and Order Dental Supplies, Process Requisitions and communicate with supply Vendors.

• The CDA may be requested to assume areas of responsibility not requested of other DA’s.

• CDA may be requested to perform other duties not detailed in this job description, as requested by the dentist with whom an assistant is working with or Dentist in Charge or Support Staff Supervisor.

• Participate in and attend in-service and educational programs seeking to improve and learn job-related skills.

• Assist in training of newly hired or untrained dental assistants.

• Meet and comply with the standards of NHF Personnel Manual.

• Always maintain confidentiality.

• Read and understand the Dental Clinic Standards of care, quality improvement, safety, S.D.S., and Emergency Manuals.

• Comply with Standard precautions as they apply to the practice of dentistry.

• May be required to act as Secretary/Receptionist as needed - Customer Service Skills.

• Other Assigned duties

Knowledge, Abilities, Skills:

• Thorough knowledge of dental assistance and other related techniques, i.e., lab procedures, proper radiographic technique, etc.

• Knowledge of computer usage and MS Word programs.

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients and other personnel (in Navajo if needed).

• Thorough knowledge of and compliance with Blood Borne Pathogen Standard Exposure Control Plan.

• Thorough knowledge of and compliance with clinic hazard communication program (S.D.S.).

• Thorough knowledge of Dental Software, Electronic Records. (ei: Dentrix, Eagle soft, Dexis, etc…

• Ability to speak the Navajo language and/or familiarity with the Navajo Way.

Physical Demands:

This position requires employees to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear and use extremities. Extensive periods of sitting, handling chemicals for infection control. May be required to lift objects weight less than 50 pounds.

Work Environment:

Exposure to Needle sticks, Contact with Communicable Diseases, Blood, Saliva, Bodily fluids. The employee will work in a Patient Care Environment with moderate noise level. Work schedule- Monday – Friday (7:30 AM-6:00PM).