Overview
The Dental Assistant facilitates delivery of dental services by the dentist, dental residents and dental hygienists.
Responsibilities
Primary duties amd responsibilities include but not limited to:
- Assists dentist/resident/hygienist during examination and treatment of patients
- Prepares patient for dental examination and treatment
- Disinfects and/or sterilizes instrumentation and equipment, sets up instrumentation, prepares materials, and assists dentist during dental procedures
- Takes and records medical and dental histories and vital signs of patient
- Exposes and processes dental diagnostic x-rays, when dentist is on site
- Assists dentist/resident/hygienist in management of medical and dental emergencies
- Instructs patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs
- Provides pre/peri/post-operative instructions as prescribed by dentist
- Maintains dental, electronic medical records
- Maintaining dental inventory and supports ordering/inventory control
- Assists in referral process
- Performs water testing on a regular or as needed
- Updates the MSDS book for incoming new dental products and revisions
- Ensures OSHA and all safety requirements are practiced
- Reviews and maintains sterilization records
- Scans all necessary documents into the EMR
- Routes telephone notes and electronic records to appropriate dentist
- Accesses patient portal for pertinent information
- Confirms authorizations for non-covered dental services
- Performs all duties, as requested by supervisor
Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
- Graduate of an approved dental assistant training program, preferred.
- Minimum 6 months experience as a dental assistant, preferred.
- Basic Life Support Certification/AED, preferred.
- Familiarity serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, desirable.
- Strong ability to support busy dental program.
- Proficiency in oral, written and computer skills required.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish, a plus.
