Dental Assistant

JOB DESCRIPTION 

Title: Dental Assistant

 FLSA Category: Nonexempt 

Reports To: Center Manager 

Job Summary: Prepare the patient for treatment, assist the dentist in performing their treatment to the patient, prepare materials and equipment for treatment, take x-rays and assist the dentist in laboratory work. May perform other related work including making appointments, answering the phone, or ordering supplies. 

Essential Functions: 

1. Prepares treatment room for patient by following prescribed procedures and protocols. 

2. Prepares patients for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patients.

3. Collect and record patient health histories (dental and medical) and record information for dentist’s reference prior to examination

4. Provides information to patients and employees by answering questions and requests. 

5. Provides instrumentation by sterilizing and delivering instruments to treatment area; positioning instruments for dentist's access; suctioning; passing instruments.

6. Provides materials by selecting, mixing, and placing materials on instruments and in the patient's mouth. 

7. Provides diagnostic information by exposing and developing radiographic studies; pouring, trimming, and polishing study casts.

8. Maintains patient appearance and ability to masticate by fabricating temporary restorations; cleaning and polishing removable appliances. 

9. Helps dentist manage dental and medical emergencies by maintaining cpr certification, emergency drug and oxygen supply, and emergency telephone directory. 

10. Educates patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control, and postoperative instructions. 

11. Documents dental care services by charting in patient records. 

12. Maintains patient confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential. 

13. Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations. 

14. Protects patients and employees by adhering to infection-control policies and protocols.

15. Ensures operation of dental equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; following manufacturer's instructions; troubleshooting malfunctions; calling for repairs; maintaining equipment inventories; evaluating new equipment and techniques.

16. Maintains dental supplies inventory by checking stock to determine inventory level; anticipating needed supplies; placing and expediting orders for supplies; verifying receipt of supplies. 

17. Conserves dental resources by using equipment and supplies as needed to accomplish job results.

18. Ensure all tasks provided and associated with patient care, patient administrative processes, and related duties comply with all regulatory and accreditation standards, and clinic policies and procedures. 

19. Backup the PSR positions, provide relief and support to PSR functions and perform office duties as requested. Dental Assistant Job Description 2

20. Maintain and update daily, weekly, and monthly logs as it pertains to infection control and sterilization. Nonessential Functions: 1. Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies. 2. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. 

Core Values: Quality Respect Integrity Equity Professionalism Teamwork Commitment 

Supervisory Responsibility None Managerial Responsibilities None 

Minimum Qualifications

1. High School diploma, GED, or equivalent certification of competency. 

2. Certificate of completion from an accredited Dental Assisting Program. 

3. Active Dental Assistant License.

4. Active Dental Radiation Technologist License.

Substitutions None 

Competencies Needed Accountability – Meets established expectations and takes responsibility for achieving results; encourages others to do the same. Communication – Listen and verbally in order to solve problems and provide information and direction, ensuring the experience is a positive one. Record issues and resolutions to maintain accurate records and data for further analysis by management. Organization – Effectively managing tasks and information and organize information to ensure a timely response to questions. Develops and uses systems to organize and keep track of information or work progress. Customer Focus – Connects meaningfully with customers to build emotional engagement and patient advocacy. Simplifies complexity and integrates internal efforts to deliver an optimal customer experience. Time Management - Understands what is required and prioritizes to get tasks/projects completed and establishes/implements an effective course of action (ex. establishes appropriate deadlines). Dental Assistant Job Description 3 Reprioritizes work efforts based on changing situations and emerging issues (e.g., in response to organizational, systems, and/or schedule changes). Work Environment This job operates in an outpatient office environment. This role is frequently exposed to {fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration}, and high stress situations or events.

Physical and Mental Demands 1. Ability to cope with stress. 2. The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office 3. Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer. 4. The person in this position frequently communicates with patients and/or employees. Must be able to summarize and exchange accurate information. 5. Must be able to lift or catch patient weighing more than 50 pounds in the event of emergency. 6. Performs with frequent interruption or distractions. 7. Adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate. 8. Ability to interact appropriately with colleagues for different purposes in different context. 9. Ability to perceive the nature of sound. 10. Expressing or exchanging information by means of the spoken word, or to convey detailed spoken instructions accurately, loudly or quickly. 11. Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships to perceive objects where and as they actually are. 12. Cognitive ability to analyze, count, summarize and synthesize information from multiple sources. 13. Ability to recognize social or professional behavioral cues. 

Language Skills Ability to read and interpret written or verbal documents and instructions. Ability to speak effectively to patients, employees and/or stakeholders of the organization. 

Travel Must be able to drive between Greater Baden Medical Services, Inc. locations as required. 

Compliance This position requires compliance with Greater Baden Medical Services (Health Center’s) compliance standards, including its Standards of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the Dental Assistant’s performance evaluation.