Certified Dental Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

The Dental Assistant will provide both clinical and administrative support in a dental office under the supervision of a Dentist, to prepare equipment that will be used in dentistry procedures and to ready patients for dental process.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Included but not limited to the following).

• Preparation of the treatment/clinical area
• Cleans and Sterilizes instruments and handpieces
• Passes instruments to the dentist or hygienist (Single- or Two-handed technique)
• Proper use of High-Volume Evacuator with the Oral Cavity
• Preparation of Restorative Materials
• Performs simple laboratory procedures such as the pouring and trimming of study models
• Maintains supplies and equipment (stocks and replenishes supplies)
• Monitors inventory
• Assesses emergency situations, aware of emergency protocols, knowledge of First Aid, CPR
• Assists in maintain emergency drug kits
• Ability to interpret Material Safety Data Sheets
• Conducts spore/biological indicator tests
• Records data on patient’s record or chart as directed DDS
• Patient and community education on oral health (extra-oral)
• Instructs in the care and maintenance of pre-fitted appliances
• Exposes, processes, and mount radiographs as specified by HARP
• Obtains Vital Signs
• Mechanical polishing of coronal portion of the teeth
• Taking of preliminary impressions of teeth for study models
• Topical application of anti-cariogenic agents
• Oral hygiene instruction with an intra-oral component
• Dietary counseling relative to dentistry
• Application of materials topically to prepare the surface of the surface of the teeth for pit and fissure sealants
• Application of pit and fissure sealants
• Application of topical anesthetics
• Application of desensitizing agents
• Whitening of the coronal portion of the teeth using materials generally available to the public without prescription
• Polishing restorations
• Oral irrigation

• Patient reception and dismissal
• Appointment book control and maintain recall system
• Blocks out times for reserved emergency and new appointments
• Maintains and control business area
• Handles all incoming call promptly and efficiently
• Patient follow-up treatment calls
• Public relations
• Bookkeeping
• Manages receivables and payables
• Prepares and balance bank deposits on daily basis
• Maintains financial records
• Incoming mail, invoices, packing slips and statements (forward to appropriate person for verification and/or payment)
• Maintains file system
• Orders and receive supplies
• Performs required part of consultation
• Reviews medical history and explains office policies and procedures
• Makes a definite financial agreement with each patient/guardian in accordance with the financial policies of the office. Prepares financial agreement for each patient.
• Monitors patient progress through each treatment
• Helps to co-ordinate practice building and public relations efforts with patients, parents and referring professionals
• Prints and proofreads patients’ correspondence
• Keeps treatment acceptance rates within practice goals
• Ensures follow-up of “will-advise” and mail-in referrals

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

§ A graduate from a CODA-accredited dental assisting program and at least two years of experience working as a chairside dental assistant.

§ Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.

WORKING CONDITIONS

§ Clinical Setting.