Dental Assistant

Description

Duties Description

Under the dentist's direct personal supervision, provides supportive services to the dentist. Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Notes treatments prescribed and scheduled for appointment periods and prepares work area by laying out needed materials and required instruments in proper array.
• During the performance of treatment procedures by the dentist, stays by the dentist at chair-side, anticipates the dentist’s needs, and hands the dentist appropriate instruments and materials.
• Prepares materials using standard procedures, timing the preparation to meet treatment needs and bringing the materials to chair-side for use by the dentist.
• As indicated by the progress of events in treatment and as instructed by the dentist, personally performs retractions of the patient’s tongue and cheek and manipulates syringes and suction equipment.
• Observes patient’s general condition during treatment, including oral surgery, in order to detect evidence of distress or shock and reports observations to dentist.
• Takes x-rays by positioning patients, adjusting and operating x-ray equipment, and developing and mounting exposed film in order to provide information useful in diagnosis and treatment.
• Posts and files records of appointments and patients' clinical records.
• Performs light housekeeping tasks including sterilizing dental instruments, inventories and reorders dental supplies and materials.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Must have a High School diploma; AND

either one year of experience in dental assisting; OR

graduation from an accredited program in dental assisting.

None

None