What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dental Assistant position at The Forsyth Institute?
Description
The ADA Forsyth Institute was founded in 1910 as the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children (later, the Forsyth Institute), to provide dental care to the disadvantaged children of Boston. While continuing to serve children in need, yet recognizing the ultimate goal is to prevent dental disease, the Institute in 1915 began to focus on scientific research and is today the world’s leader in oral health research. In October of 2023, the Institute joined with the American Dental Association to form the ADA Forsyth Institute, a 501(c)(3) entity dedicated to improving people’s oral and overall health and powering the profession of dentistry through cutting-edge basic research, creative translational science, innovative clinical technologies, and global public health outreach. Consistent with the Institute’s founding mission, the ADA ForsythKids mobile dental program continues to serve children in need.
Summary:
The Dental Assistant will be an integral member of ADA Forsyth’s on-site clinic, Forsyth Faculty Associates Dental Clinic “FFA,” supporting our patients and practice. This invigorating practice is staffed with dedicated professionals providing a variety of expertise and services to improve the health of our patients. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, collaborative, patient focused, and possess outstanding clinical skills.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist dentists and hygienists at chair side for all procedures including periodontic, prosthodontic, orthodontic, endodontic and pedodontic specialties.
- Set up and breakdown of patient operatory - maintaining appropriate OSHA regulation standards for dentists and hygienists.
- Maintain general maintenance and cleaning of clinical operations, including x-ray rooms.
- Weekly cleaning and monthly maintenance of the autoclave.
- Safe disposal of clinical hazardous wastes (sharps, blood, mercury, and lead).
- Taking, developing and duplication of patient x-rays and records.
- Cleaning and sterilization of instruments.
- Daily changing of disinfectants/ultra-sonic cleaner and other solutions.
- Stock and re-stock all clinical supplies.
- Ensure self-contained water units are appropriately filled each morning and during the rest of the day.
- Pour models in the dental lab when needed.
- Initiative - Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
- Innovation - Generates suggestions for improving work.
- Cover front desk as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Qualifications:
Education, Experience, Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations
- Dental Assistant Certificate (preferably 2-year program; minimum 1-year program).
- Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Must be certified to take radiographs (X-rays).
- Experience in orthodontics and pedodontics preferred.
Language Skills
- Able to read, write and speak English.
- Able to comprehend instructions, short correspondence, and memos, as well as prepare simple and clear correspondence.
- Able to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations, e.g. patients, family members, colleagues, others.
Physical Demands
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to sharp instruments and moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
