Health - Dental Assistant III

Job Description

Job Description

Responsible for performing chair side duties in all phases of dentistry (restorative, prosthodontic, surgery, endodontic, and periodontic). The position is responsible for obtaining and maintaining supplies, records management and assisting with report preparation. Additionally, this senior team member position handles complex dental care responsibilities and provides mentorship to the dental assistant team.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

● Welcomes and seats patients, takes vitals, and helps arrange follow-up care.

● Performs initial patient assessments.

● Performs advanced dental assisting duties including taking impressions for study casts, performing orthodontic adjustments, and assisting with surgical procedures.

● Leads by example in maintaining dental health standards and protocols.

● Trains and mentors, the dental assistant team.

● Operates dental x-ray equipment takes, develops and mounts x-rays.

● Provides pre-treatment patient education and relays post-treatment instructions.

● Provides preventive dental services; sealants, nutritional counseling, and toothbrush instructions , at the direction of the dentist.

● Takes preliminary impressions and completes laboratory work (pour/trim models )

● Organizes, develops, and keeps maintenance records of all dental equipment and ensures inspection and maintenance are performed on established schedules.

● Maintains and sterilizes dental equipment.

● Orders all supplies and equipment and obtains pricing and bids as necessary.

● Stocks and disposes of dental materials.

● Prepares dental lab work for delivery and retrieves for placement.

● Retrieves and stores dental records.

● Follows infection control protocols and procedures.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

● Assists Dental Director or Chief Solo Dentist with preparing reports.

● Assists with oral health education for dental patients.

● Assists in the recording/charting of dental information within Dentrix

● Assists with training for Dental Assistant Trainee.

● All other job-related duties as assigned.

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers in other departments, customers/patients and outside vendors/service providers.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position medium with lifting of 50 pounds maximum and frequent lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds. Physical factors include constant manual handling, use of hearing, near/midrange/far vision, depth perception, color/field of vision; frequent standing, walking, sitting, reaching, bending; occasional pushing/pulling, climbing, stooping, kneeling, and typing. Working conditions include frequent exposure to noise and vibration and occasional exposure to air quality. Potential hazards include constant infectious exposure, patient contact, and dental equipment use; frequent exposure to chemicals, needles/syringes, computer and equipment use; occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts and electric shock. Position Category I: High Risk Occupation and has frequent contact with blood, tissues, and dental equipment that is contaminated. Personal protection equipment provided by employer includes items such as but not limited to, gloves, gowns, laboratory coats, face shields, masks, eye protection, mouth pieces, resuscitation bags, pockets masks, ventilation devices and other equipment as needed. Immunizations including Hepatitis B vaccination series will be offered to team member at no cost.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: High School diploma or equivalent required.

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of dental assistant experience is required.

Certification/License: Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) required within first year of hire; with additional certifications as relevant. Will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. Must maintain a good moral character standing. Will be required to complete and pass pre-employment drug testing.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Must be able to establish and maintain effective communication with co-workers, supervisors and clients. Must have excellent communication skills and be able to communicate clearly in person, in writing, and by telephone and email. Must be able to work with minimal to no supervision. Must have working knowledge of dental assisting. Must have working knowledge of dental equipment/instruments. Must have working knowledge of sterilization/equipment processing. Must have excellent public relation/customer service skills and be able to exhibit a friendly and positive attitude. Must maintain confidentiality. Native American preferred.