Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

Summary Dental Assistants receive guidance from more experienced staff members for complex patient issues for which they require direct supervision and daily contact with the supervisor at the work site. Full-performance dental assistants assist the dentist in many aspects of direct patient care and perform other clinical and clerical functions independently of direct supervision.

Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to :

• Chairside Assisting : Provides chairside assistance fully anticipating dentist needs for all instruments, materials and services
• Sets up operatory 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
• Dental Imaging Operates dental X-ray equipment taking intra- and extra-oral radiographs
• 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
• Records dental images using x-ray equipment
• Infection Control and Equipment Sterilization
• Demonstrates proper infection control procedures in setting up and cleaning up operatories
• Maintains dental equipment in a clean and operative condition
• Debrides and decontaminates instruments, materials and equipment
• Instruments are properly prepared for sterilization by SPS standards
• Clerical Functions
• Assists patients in scheduling appointments, makes appointments, and handles telephone inquiries
• Records information related to the medical and dental history as relayed by the dentist or patient
• Assists in filling gaps in the doctor's and hygienist's schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments
• 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 TJC and facility requirements
• Instructs patient in preventive dental care measures, general nutrition as related to dental health, the common causes of tooth decay, and the care of prosthodontic appliances
• 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
• Performs other dental laboratory functions as time and skill levels allow
• Direct Patient Care
• Remove sutures and removal of periodontal surgical dressing
• Impressions for diagnostic casts and preliminary impressions for prosthetic fabrication
• Remove temporary crown / bridge and clean tooth preparation of debris
• Applies desensitizing agents, tissue conditioners and other topical agents prescribed by dentist to specified area of the oral cavity
• Assists in surgical treatment by applying and removing periodontal and post-extraction dressings, and removing sutures
• Advanced Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Knowledge of OSHA policies of Safe Work Practices including the hazard Communication Program, Blood borne Pathogens Standards, Medical Waste management, Fire and other Emergency Evacuation procedures
• Knowledge of regulatory and advisory agencies of the healthcare field
• Ability to demonstrate the procedure for cleaning up a spill of potentially infectious material
• Ability to analyze essential information on SDS and create an appropriate label for a secondary container
• Ability to recognize an exposure incident in compliance with OSHA regulations