Dental Assistant

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Perform clinical and administrative duties under the direction of the Dentist/Medical Director. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, and assisting the dentist in procedures. Administrate duties may include scheduling/confirming appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding for insurance purposes.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Assists dentist during a variety of treatment procedures.
• Prepares treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols. This includes asking the patients about their medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse.
• Documents dental care services by charting in patient records.
• Provides instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments to treatment area; positioning instruments for dentist’s access; suctioning; passing instruments.
• Maintain infection control protocol.
• Provides materials by selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in patient's mouth.
• Provides diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies.
• Pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.
• Ensures operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies.
• Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.
• Prepares patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patient.
• Educates patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions.
• Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Quick response/accurate data entry to present treatment plans to patients in a short time frame.
• Accurately files patient information and arrange patient charts and radiographs for the next day’s appointments.
• Communicates all concerns to the dentist.
• Assists with agency fundraising activities as requested, including promoting events, selling tickets, soliciting donations, and other task to support events.
• Maintain client and family confidentially.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of dental procedures.
• Ability to orally communicate effectively with others, with or without the use of an interpreter.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing using the English language, with or without the use of auxiliary aids or services.
• Ability to review, understand, and apply concepts presented in training programs, conferences, and/or professional literature.
• Good interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members, and community.
• Possess excellent verbal/written communication skills to communicate with patients and staff, which include superior telephone etiquette.
• Ability to adapt to office policy improvements (office is constantly striving for improved customer care/service).
• Ability to handle various special projects on an ongoing basis while addressing daily needs for the department.
• Ability to complete projects with minimal directions/instructions.
• Clear understanding that FoundCare provides information on educating individuals on safer sex practices which would include but not be limited to: exposure to explicit language, explicit printed material, and descriptions of explicit sexual activities as part of the agency’s mission in the prevention and transmission of HIV disease.
• Must be able to respect the culture, values, and opinions of others.
• Outstanding customer service skills and the ability to interact and work with diverse populations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to endure short, intermittent, and/or long periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• Ability to travel to off-site locations and attend meetings, workshops, and seminars, as well as travel to other Foundcare departments and Foundcare conference rooms.
• Accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate with a diploma from a Florida board-approval dental assisting school or program in addition to a high school diploma/GED.
• Completion of formal training to perform as an expanded functions dental assistant.
• Minimum 2 years office experience.
• PC proficient.
• Insurance experience preferred.