Licensed Dental Assistant

SUMMARY:  

NACC’s mission is to promote the health & wellness of mind, body, and spirit of Native American families. We offer a full range of healthcare services that include Medical, Behavioral Health, Dental, and Substance Abuse. This position is primarily responsible for overseeing the clinical operations while supervising clinical assistants and must be able to perform all aspects of a licensed dental assistant by performing the following duties. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Core duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 

• Coordinates with Dental Manager to ensure patient flow is appropriate for optimal clinic efficiency.
• Oversees and manages inventory and supplies; places orders.
• Assists patients in resolving minor difficulties, answers questions, and gives directions as authorized by the dentist or dental hygienist.
• Serves as a chair side assistant for the dentist, ADT and Hygienist.
• Prepares the operatory for patient treatment per dental department protocols and the dentist, ADT and Hygienist direction.
• Exposes radiographs in accordance with state regulations and law, as well as dental department directive and protocol.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed in accordance with state regulation and law and dental department directive and protocol.
• Maintains dental department equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions and dental department policy and protocol.
• Maintains dental departments areas in compliance with dental department directives and protocols as well as clinic policies and procedures relative to infection control, exposure control and safety issues.
• Maintains adequate operatory supplies and compiles a list of individual item shortages for inventory control and ordering purposes.
• Monitors patient flow and assists the Dental Clinic Manager or dentist in assuring all patient records and documents are properly and accurately completed and filed.

• Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, clinic business and patient care within the dental department.
• Assists with various clinical and administrative functions, as appropriate and as time permits.
• Ensures the sterility of all reusable dental instruments and equipment in accordance with dental department directive and protocol.
• Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with the dental department directive, clinic policy as well as state and federal regulations.
• Performs all functions in full compliance with the clinic and the dental department exposure control plan including but not limited to; the use of personal protective equipment's and universal precautions.
• Participates in appropriate health promotion/disease prevention activities, both on-site and off- site, as required.
• Performs other related and/or necessary tasks to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and objectives.
• Responsible for personal compliance in full with all applicable federal, state, local and clinic rules, regulations, protocols and procedures including but not limited to; the participation of the dental assistant in the provision of clinical dental care.
• Enters treatment activity into the computer and checks for accuracy; answers incoming calls, as needed.
• Reviews daily schedule for effectiveness.
• Participates in office meetings and morning huddles. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.