Overview of Job

The Dental Assistant provides not only advanced technical assistance, but also provides a reassuring and pleasing experience for the patient.

This position is responsible for a wide range of tasks in the dental office, ranging from patient care to administrative duties to laboratory functions.

Proficiency and a positive attitude are cornerstones of this position.

Primary Responsibilities and Tasks

• Records treatment information in the patient's chart, including treatment rendered, the type of treatment planned and the amount of chair time, doctor time and assistant time needed for next appointment.
• Scheduling patient appointments.
• Assists the doctor by passing instruments, aspirating intra-oral fluids, mixing materials and medicaments during examinations or treatment.
• Provides customer service support to patients by escorting them to and from the treatment room and prepping them for care by the doctor.
• Exposing quality dental x-rays for diagnostics and caring for dental equipment
• Prepares all treatment rooms including, but not limited to, set-up, decontamination, sterilization of all instruments, cleaning and restocking.
• Maintains cleanliness of the lab, sterilization area, and operatories. Check off log sheets.
• Changes all chemical solutions, i.e., disinfectant soaks and sprays, sterilant, ultrasonic, and presoak
• Reviews patient's medical history, progress from the previous visit, if applicable, and the scheduled treatment plan with each patient.

Collect patient vital signs.

• Ensure both treatment plans and consent forms are signed before treatment is rendered.
• Provide post operative instructions as directed by the dentist.
• Takes impressions or digital scan for restorative models, opposing models, and bite registration.
• Follow clinical opening and closing procedures for the office.
• Inspects patient's oral cavity and charts lesions, existing restorations, and missing teeth.
• Helps administer nitrous oxide to patients as applicable.
• Assist Lead DA with any periodic facility or equipment maintenance
• Monitors incoming and outgoing lab cases.
• Maintaining inventory and alerting Lead DA when orders needed.
• In addition to these duties, expanded function dental assistant tasks may be required based on specific state guidelines.
• Additional or different duties may be assigned occasionally at employer's discretion.

Key Competencies and Characteristics

• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism when exposed to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions and accept constructive feedback.
• Outstanding communication and customer service skills.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Reliable and dependable.
• Thrives in a team-based environment.
• Ability to keep records and patients' personal information private.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Experience using computers for a variety of tasks.
• Consistently professional appearance and attitude.

Requirements

Education and Training

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum two-years related experience and / or training; or equivalent of combination of education and experience in the dental profession.
• Valid X-ray certificate.
• Current license if CDA, RDA, or EFDA (per state requirements).
• CPR & first aid certificate.

FLSA Status : Hourly

Reports to : Operations Manager

Last updated : 2024-06-01