The Dental Assistant supports the dental team by performing a range of clinical functions. This position allows the dental team to function more efficiently and better serve the intended population.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (include, but not limited to the following)

• Receives patients, determines chief complaints, reviews medical history prior to exam and updates as appropriate
• Provides chair-side health education information; dismisses patient with proper post-operative instructions
• Obtains and records all patient examination information as directed by dentist
• Provides proper protective apparel to patient, correctly exposes, processes and mounts intra-oral and extra oral radiographs
• Organizes and arranges equipment and materials for dentist
• Retracts patient’s cheek, tongue or other tissues, passes instruments and responds to requests from dentist
• Mixes restorative materials, applies occlusal sealants and topical fluoride and operates suction unit
• Cleans and autoclaves instruments
• Applies rubber dam and places cotton rolls to isolate operative site
• Instructs patient in preventive dental care; demonstrates brushing/flossing techniques and use of disclosing solutions; explains common causes of tooth decay and gum disease
• Participates in departmental orientation, on the job training and quality assurance programs/initiatives
• Participates in a variety of department and hospital educational programs to maintain current skill and competency levels; identifies and discusses performance or training needs with Supervisor
• Ability to perform other duties as assigned