Dental Assistant

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists the dentist and/or hygienist chairside in the performance of clinical procedures.
• Under the direct supervision of the dentist, applies topical agents to desensitize teeth, liners and bases for cavity preparations (excluding capping or exposed pulpal tissues), oxygenating agents, astringents, anti-inflammatory agents, and fluorides.
• Clean, pack, sterilize and or organize dental instruments as instructed by the dentist.
  
• Performs periodic cleaning/maintenance of dental equipment, dental chairs and operatories as required.
• Maintain and organize daily sterilization logs and other materials as required.
• Takes and records case history, blood pressure, pulse, and oral temperature.
• Preliminarily charts conditions of decay and disease as diagnosed for treatment by dentist.
• Exposes and develops intra-oral and extra-oral dental radiographs.
• Makes impressions for diagnostic and opposing study casts.
• Places and removes periodontal and alveolar socket dressings.
  
• Construct and place temporary crowns (excluding stainless steel crowns).
• Assists in the administration of inhalation analgesia (nitrous oxide).
• Provides oral health education to improve and maintain oral health of school children including oral hygiene instructions, plaque staining, brushing, flossing and caries susceptibility tests.
• Applies reversible liners and bases to dentures, orthodontic appliances, prosthetic appliances, bridges or others structures.
• Conducts dental health clinics for community groups to augment services of dentist.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Certified Dental Assistant, preferred
• Maintain current CPR certification
  

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Effective verbal and written skills
• Ability to organize
• Good judgement
• Strong customer service skills