Dental Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Dental Assistant works as part of the clinic provider team and assists the dentist in the provision of primary health care.  The assistant provides limited direct patient services and performs specifically designated independent procedures. The dental assistant aids the dentist in provision of dental care.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares patients for examination including the identification of the chief complaint, the taking of vital signs, height, weight, etc., and ensures smooth patient flow throughout clinic.
• Keeps patients comfortable until seen by the dentist
• Assists the dentist in healthcare activities, performance of diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures, and the administration of medications as necessary.
• Assists with stocking the examining room and special treatment rooms with needed supplies.
• Performs other necessary duties as required by the Clinic Director or dental director to meet the goal of providing primary health care services.
• Attends in house PCMH training.
• Receives and registers dental patients.
• Provides chair side assistance to dentist.
• Aids in stocking and maintaining supplies. Aids in cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilization of dental instruments and equipment.
• Taking and pouring of impressions for diagnostic and opposing models. Trimming of diagnostic and opposing models.
• Giving oral hygiene instructions.
• Preliminary fittings of chrome crowns and temporary crowns.
• Removal of sutures.
• Placement and removal of rubber dams.
• Placing wedging and removal of matrices.
• Removal of excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth by hand instruments.
• Taking of blood pressure.
• Application of topical fluoride.
• Application of etching solution.
• Placement of retraction cord.
• Checking bite with articulating paper.
• Seating temporary crowns after approval by dentist.
• Administer and monitor nitrous oxide.
• Expose and process dental radiographs. (requires successful completion of a certified course approved by the Arkansas State Dental Association.)
• Making sure all chart logs are up to date
• Suture removal logs.
• Daily maintenance of dental logbook. (temperature, humidity, ect.)
• Participates in the quality improvement activities within the clinic and performs duties in accordance with applicable standards.
• Making sure all charts are locked and secured at the end of the workday.
• Making sure all transcription is checked and up to date according to the patient’s chart.
• Maintaining patient follow-ups after procedure.
• Ensures an appropriate environment for the administration of healthcare by keeping exam rooms, dental lab, all equipment, and other work areas in a clean, safe, and orderly fashion.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Dental assistant certification is preferred, but on the job training is available for a self-motivated applicant.
• Sufficient experience to carry out the duties of this position.
• Must be qualified in Basic Life Support techniques.
• Ability to relate with warmth and effectiveness to the patients and to the providers of the community health center.
• Participate in on-going age-related in-service training for patients in various age