Ortho Dental Assistant

Job Description

The purpose of this position is to effectively and efficiently assist the dentist(s) in providing dental care to patients.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Welcome and prepare patients for treatments or checkups ensuring their comfort
• Select and set up instruments, equipment and materials needed
• Sterilize instruments according to regulations
• Assist the dentist through 4-handed dentistry
• Undertake lab tasks as instructed
• Provide oral hygiene and post-operative care instructions
• Keep the dental room clean and well-stocked
• Schedule appointments
• Maintain accurate patient records and assist with payment procedures

Skills and Qualifications

    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bilingual in Spanish preferred
• Excellent customer/patient service and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand information and effectively present information one-on-one with patients.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out details written or verbally instructed.
• Basic computer knowledge and experience with dental management software experience. 
• Ability to work in fast paced, patient-focused environment.
• Detail oriented. DAs must be aware of and follow state specific rules and protocols.
• Interpersonal skills. The DA should be patient and sensitive to patient emotions.
• Listening skills. DA must be able to listen to patients and other dental assistants and follow directions from a Dentist or supervisor.
• Organizational skills. DAs should have excellent organizational skills; insure the dentist has the correct tools and supplies ready to treat patients.

  Qualifications (Experience, Education, Certification)

• Orthodontic and Registered Dental Assistant license required
• Previous dental assisting experience preferred but not required.
• Meet state requirements for Dental Assistant duties, continuing education or licensure; Basic Life Support (BLS), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate, and radiography certificate. 

Work Conditions and Schedules

• DA works under the supervision of dentists, lead dental assistant and the Office Manager in their day-to-day activities. 
• DA works in a well-lit, clean environment. Their work area is usually near the dental chair so that they can arrange instruments, materials, and medication and hand them to the dentist when needed.
• DA follows safety procedures to minimize the risks associated with the use of x-ray machines and other equipment.
• DA may work some evening or weekend hours, depending on the practice’s location.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain in a stationary position, sitting and/or standing, for extended time [e.g. sitting chairside assisting dentist during procedures].
• Ability to bend, climb stairs and lift [e.g., packing/unpacking boxes, stocking inventory on shelves].

Nothing in this job description restricts CaliDental’s right to assign or reassign job duties and responsibilities for this position at any time.