Dental Assistant

Staff Dental Assistant

Serves as staff dental assistant at the full performance level for routine patient care and performs a full range of duties with indirect supervision from the lead or supervisory dental assistant or the treating dentist. Performs assigned selected procedures with some independence. Some complex patient procedures are performed under indirect supervision of more experienced dental assistants or dental supervisor.

Responsibilities :

• Customer Service : Shows courtesy, respect, and a positive attitude for patients, co-workers and the public. Provides assistance to customers with questions or concerns, provides service recovery.
• Chairside Assisting : Sets up operatory and / or surgery suite for planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently. Keeps operative field clear of debris and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably. Prepares dental medicaments and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Accomplishes all intra-operative procedures within standard infection control protocols. Assists in routine general dental procedures using concepts of four-handed dentistry. Assists in specialized dental procedures, such as oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, implant placement and restoration. Maintains both routine and specialty dental equipment per manufacturer instructions and dental service standards.
• Dental Imaging : Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e. TMJ, ceph, cone beam) in traditional and / or digital formats. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Dental imaging safety techniques are utilized, and retakes are minimized. Imaging requests are accomplished within the desired time frame.
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization : Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning operatories. Disinfects oral appliances to prevent cross contamination. Properly prepares instruments for transfer to SPD for sterilization. Follows all Standard Operating Procedures for Reusable Medical Equipment. Works closely with SPD to ensure availability of instruments so that clinical care is not delayed. Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in exposing images.
• Clerical Functions : Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Initiates computerized progress note. Assists dentist in charting findings and treatment plans in patient records.
• Information Management : Maintains patient confidentiality per HIPAA with written and verbal information. Follows computer security regulations.
• Patient Safety : Modifies care as necessitated by patient's age and abilities (patient transfer and position). Provides accurate and understandable instructions to patients. Participates in patient identification and time out per Joint Commission requirements. Monitors patient condition during treatment, being alert for signs of physical distress.
• Employee Education : Complies with Employee Education requirements. Completes mandatory annual safety training sessions.
• Dental Laboratory Functions : Pours impressions and prepares study models. Makes final denture impression trays and prepares bite rims. Fabricates athletic mouth guards and bleaching trays. Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow.
• Direct Patient Care : Monitors patient vital signs (BP, pulse, pulse oximeter) and condition during invasive treatment and during recovery period following procedure. Applies topical anesthetic at the injection site. Applies topical fluoride. Makes impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication. Removes plaque and soft debris from removable prostheses. Provides patient preventative education and oral hygiene instruction. Provides post-operative and other appropriate patient education.

Work Schedule : Full time - 4 Days - 10 hour shifts 6 : 30 am - 5 : 00 pm Compressed / Flexible : Available

Requirements :

Qualifications :

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Preferred experience : General Chairside Assisting (GC), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE)

Grade Determinations : Dental Assistant GS-6 (Full Performance Level)