What are the responsibilities and job description for the Dental Assistant position at Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, Inc. (SEMRHI)?
The Dental Assistant supports dental care delivery by preparing treatment rooms, patient instruments and materials, and complete procedures as ordered by the Dentist. The Dental Assistant must demonstrate the ability to be a team member. Demonstrates knowledge and skills to appropriately communicate and interact with the staff, patients, families, and visitors of all age groups while being sensitive to their cultural and religious beliefs.
Job Responsibilities
Job Responsibilities
- Check to ensure that units are ready, stocked, and clean at the beginning of each appointment (e.g. gloves, mirrors, trash bags, DisCide wipes, x-ray covers, pens, markers, school exam bags, etc.)
- Oversee cleanliness of operatory and sterilize instruments to include but not limited to cleaning instruments, spore test, organize instrument tray, and prepare solution for suction cleaning.
- Setup treatment trays, placing all instruments including burs for each doctor/procedure
- Change traps and clean autoclave once per week.
- Re-stock supplies in dental exam rooms to include, but not limited to, cotton rolls, cotton tips, needles, etch, bond, matrix bands, air/water syringes, high evacuation suction tips, saliva ejectors, wedges, prophy cups, and polish.
- Help in other areas of the office when necessary (phones, unpacking, supplies, moving dismissed patient records)
- Greet patients when they sign in and monitor arrival time
- Seat patients and have proper setup for procedures
- Try not to leave the patient unattended in the chair
- Anticipate and assist dentist's needs at all times
- Chart all patients and record date, service rendered, and any charges
- Escort patients from the treatment room
- Complete patient's chart indicating procedure done today and what procedure is to be completed at the next visit
- Perform clinical procedures as delegated by the dentist
- Give patient instruction and demonstrate where necessary, as directed by the dentist
- While on rotation with dental provider ensure an adequate supply of dental screenings sheets are copied and available
- Monitor patient flow
- Closure procedures in exam rooms include, but not limited to, raising dental chair, turning off computer monitor, and turning off light
- Make school exam and hygiene bags as needed
- Update patient's health history, medical history, family history and patient information semiannually
- Check patient blood pressure
- Closure procedures: Turn off all chairs, N2O2, and main suction
- Place sealants on patients as assigned by Dentist
- Coordinates the dental center's compliance with OSHA guidelines and universal precautions.
- Prepares patient for treatment, by escorting patients from the waiting room to the treatment rooms and verifying the accuracy of dental records.
- Notify treatment coordination if a patient should be called in the evening after a difficult appointment
- Active participant in morning huddles
- Responds to emails in a timely manner.
- Demonstrates the ability to accept and convey constructive criticism.
- Handle all business in a confidential manner.
- Adheres to the organizations policy and procedures.
- Demonstrates an ability to work as a member of the dental care team.
- Demonstrates positive personal attributes such as honesty, integrity and professionalism in all aspects of the job
- Maintains prompt and regular attendance
- Verify timecard at the end of each pay period
- Performs related work, as assigned by the Dentists or Dental Director
- Graduation from an ADA-accredited dental assisting program
- Current Radiology Licensure/Certificate
- Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through American Heart Association
- Current MS Driver's License
- Ability to sterilize, select, mix, and place materials on instruments and in patients' mouths
- Welcomes, comforts, seats, and drapes patients
- Excellent computer skills required
- Ability to communicate in English and excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Organizational and planning skills to prioritize work, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and take initiative
- Detail-oriented
- Works independently with little direct supervision
- Interacts with difficult individuals while maintaining composure
- Able to work cooperatively as a member of a team
- Able to work under stress in a fast-paced environment
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check, drug screen and physical assessment.
- Must be willing to do local and out-of-state travel.
- Must be able to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time.
- Must be able to lift a minimum of 10 lbs. routinely.
