SUMMARY:
Reports to the Dental Clinic Manager and performs supportive dental procedures within the scope of licensure, under the supervision of a licensed dentist. This position is an integral part of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintains exemplary customer service skills with patients, vendors and co-workers.
• Prepares patient, sterilizes or disinfects instruments, sets up instrument trays, prepares materials, and assists dentist during dental procedures; cleans and stocks exam rooms before and after each patient, and at the end of each clinic session.
• Exposes dental diagnostic x-rays.
• Takes and records medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients; records treatment information in patient records, using EDR system.
• Instructs patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs; provides postoperative instructions to patients, as prescribed by dentist.
• Assists dentist in management of medical or dental emergencies.
• Cleans and polishes removable appliances.
• Makes preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
• Performs intraoral and extraoral photography.
• Applies non-aerosol and non-caustic topical agents; applies topical fluoride.
• Places and removes rubber dams or other isolation devices; places, wedges, and removes matrices for restorative procedures; places bases, liners, and bonding agents; places, adjusts, and finishes direct provisional restorations; removes post-extraction dressings after inspection of the surgical site by the supervising licensed dentist; removes periodontal dressings; remove sutures after inspection of the site by the dentist.
• Cures restorative materials in operative site with a light-curing device; applies and activates bleaching agents using a non-laser light-curing device.
• Assists in the administration of nitrous oxide when used for analgesia or sedation, only under the direction and in the presence of the dentist.
• Performs mouth-mirror inspections of the oral cavity, to include charting of obvious lesions, existing restorations, and missing teeth.
• Uses automated caries detection devices and materials to gather information for diagnosis by the dentist.
• Conducts pulp vitality testing and records findings.
• Chemically prepares teeth for bonding.
• Fabricates, adjusts, cements, and removes indirect provisional restorations, including stainless steel crowns when used as a provisional restoration.
• Dries endodontically treated canals using absorbent paper points.
• Adjust dentures extra-orally.
• Remove excess cement from surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument.
• Polishes coronal surfaces of the teeth.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Graduation from an education program in registered dental assisting approved by the Dental Board of California.

Licensure and Credentials: Possession of a valid License as a Registered Dental Assistant, issued by the Dental Board of California. current CPR (BLS) certification.

Experience: Previous dental assisting experience is desirable but not required.

Knowledge of: Techniques and practices to perform the full range of assigned supportive dental procedures within the scope of licensure. Work and patient safety practices as applicable to a dental care setting. Hygiene practices as applicable to a dental care setting.

Ability to: Learn and use the electronic dental records (EDR) system used by SBNC. Interact diplomatically with dentists, other staff, and patients. Concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. Follow verbal and written instructions. Communicate effectively with patients, co-workers, and managers. Write common dental terms in accurately spelled English

Preferred Qualifications: Ability to speak Spanish.

Physical Demands: Works in close physical proximity with others, both patients and dentists, constantly through the work shift. Works with a constant schedule of patients throughout the shift. Performs most work sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time, with frequent bending and twisting. Uses hands to manipulate and control tools and equipment controls, with attention to accurate movements and measurements. Quickly and repeatedly adjusts the controls of equipment to exact positions. Keeps hand and arm steady while moving arm or holding arm and hand in one position. Makes precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. Sees details at close range, with or without magnification. Must wear appropriate protective or safety equipment while treating patients.

Location: Eastside Dental and Goleta Dental

Salary Range: $27 - $29 per hour