Dental Assistant

Job Purpose

The Intra-Oral Dental Assistant supports the team by contributing to the day to day operations of the clinic and ensuring a positive experience for patients and staff. This role requires professionalism, dependability and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Set up and clean the exam or surgery area, ensure sanitary conditions, and sterilize surfaces and instruments
• Assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
• Level III assistants will be expected to guide Level I and Level II assistants during day-to-day operations.
• Must have a broad knowledge of all dental procedures in order to provide proper assistance to the dentist. 
• Sterilize instruments, prepare dental materials and cements, process and mount radiographs and pour and trim cast molds.
• Responsible for any duties delegated by the Dentist and/or Lead Dental Assistant. This includes any duty for which the dental assistant has received adequate office-based training by the Dentist and/or Lead Dental Assistant to ensure that the dental assistant is properly aware of all requirements and responsibilities of each duty to be performed including taking X-rays once certified.
• Taking and developing dental radiographs (x-rays)
• Preventing the spread of infection and disease by maintaining a surgically clean work environment
• Helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment
• Providing patients with instructions for oral care following treatment
• Teaching patient’s appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health;
  (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling)
• Taking impressions of patients' teeth for study casts (models of teeth)
• Create, send and track lab cases
• Monitor, order and maintain budget for dental supplies
• Performing office management tasks that often require the use of a personal computer
• Assisting in updating and maintaining client dental records / charts
• Maintaining equipment and coordinating any necessary repairs
• Asking about the patient's medical history and taking blood pressure and pulse as needed
• Providing support to dentists and other staff as needed
• Maintaining OSHA and HIPAA compliance
• Displays the Enhance core values of Continuous Improvement, Selfless Team-First Attitude, Embrace Change, Conquer the Mountain Mentality and Take Initiative
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education:  High school diploma or equivalent required. 

License: Current dental assistant license, registration, or permit as required by applicable state regulations. Current CPR certification, and Radiography/X-ray certification required. Coronal Polishing and/or Sealants certification preferred, where permitted by state law. 

Experience: 1-3 years of dental assisting experience preferred.

Working Conditions

Dental practices run at a fast pace and dental assistants will be required to keep up with the flow of doctors and patients. 

Physical Requirements

Dental Assistants will be required to:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Sit for long periods of time.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Lifting up to 50 pounds