Dental Assistant - San Luis Obispo

Description

Job Description

The purpose of this position is to effectively and efficiently assist the dentist(s) in providing dental care to patients.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Welcome and escort patient in a professional and friendly manner from reception area to and from the treatment areas.
• Understand and follow HIPAA regulations and maintain confidentiality.
• Understand and follow state and Federal OSHA laws, infection control, safety standards in the dental office and operatory, including wearing personal protective (PPE) barriers such as gloves, disposable gowns, and eye wear; disinfecting and sterilizing instruments and treatment areas; and disposing properly of contaminated or bio-hazardous waste/materials.
• Learn and follow CaliDental’s administrative and operational procedures.
• Review and follow Employee Handbook to ensure consistent standards.
• Attend and participate in morning huddles and regular office meetings.
• Ensure treatment rooms are equipped and stocked with inventory. Notify LDA of any supply shortages.
• Schedule appointments and book the schedule properly.
• Take and record patient’s medical and dental histories and vital signs; blood pressure & pulse.
• Insure review and completion of documentation; accurate and current medical history, medical alerts, and signed consent forms.
• Document/chart all dental procedures performed during each patient visit per Dentist’s instructions and legal requirements.
• Take and develop dental diagnostic x-rays, if radiology certified.
• Make preliminary impressions for study casts – as allowed by state law.
• Pour and base diagnostic models and fabricate temporary restorations – as allowed by state law.
• Sterilize and disinfect instruments in the lab and make sure that the lab is clean and organized.
• Set up instrument trays, prepare materials and assist Dentist during dental procedures.
• Provide patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures postoperative instructions as prescribed by Dentist.
• Effectively provide dental education and information to patients to ensure patient awareness of dental health, and oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling).
• Effectively present to patient the dental treatment plan and proposed plan for continuing treatments in professional and confidential manner.
• Communicate with the patient treatment that will be performed and financial obligation before starting procedure.
• Understand and explain insurance benefits and financial options in non-clinical terms.
• Notify Office Manager of equipment trouble or general safety concerns.
• Attend continuing education and training seminars as scheduled.
• Clean, dispose trash, and submit trouble ticket submission to correct any maintenance issues.
• Complete any specific tasks assigned to you by the LDA such as spore test, maintenance, cleaning, etc.

Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications

    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent customer/patient service and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand information and effectively present information one-on-one with patients.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out details written or verbally instructed.
• Basic computer knowledge and experience with dental management software experience.

• Ability to work in fast paced, patient-focused environment.
• Detail oriented. DAs must be aware of and follow state specific rules and protocols.
• Interpersonal skills. The DA should be patient and sensitive to patient emotions.
• Listening skills. DA must be able to listen to patients and other dental assistants and follow directions from a Dentist or supervisor.
• Organizational skills. DAs should have excellent organizational skills; insure the dentist has the correct tools and supplies ready to treat patients.

  Qualifications (Experience, Education, Certification)

• Previous dental assisting experience preferred but not required.
• Meet state requirements for Dental Assistant duties, continuing education or licensure; Basic Life Support (BLS), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate, and radiography certificate.

Work Conditions and Schedules

• DA works under the supervision of dentists, lead dental assistant and the Office Manager in their day-to-day activities. 
• DA works in a well-lit, clean environment. Their work area is usually near the dental chair so that they can arrange instruments, materials, and medication and hand them to the dentist when needed.
• DA follows safety procedures to minimize the risks associated with the use of x-ray machines and other equipment.
• DA may work some evening or weekend hours, depending on the practice’s location.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain in a stationary position, sitting and/or standing, for extended time [e.g. sitting chairside assisting dentist during procedures].
• Ability to bend, climb stairs and lift [e.g., packing/unpacking boxes, stocking inventory on shelves].

Nothing in this job description restricts CaliDental’s right to assign or reassign job duties and responsibilities for this position at any time.

Salary : $20 - $28