Job Description
Dental Assistant
Job Title:Dental Assistant
Reports To:Managing Dentist/Office Manager
FLSA Status:Non - Exempt
SUMMARY Assists dentist during examination and treatment of patients by performing the following duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following.
Birner Dental Management Services, Inc./Perfect Teeth retains the right to revise the following job duties at any time. Other duties may be assigned.
ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS:
·Represent Birner Dental Management Services/PERFECT TEETH and exhibit conduct in a professional and consistent style.
·Achieve professional dentist and staff relations through teamwork to ensure coordination of activities.
·Achieve quality, positive patient relations through excellent customer service skills to ensure no patient complaints.
·Order and maintain dental supplies and equipment staying within the monthly office budget and monitoring supply levels.
·Comply with all OSHA regulations, maintain office and operatory cleanliness, and ensure equipment functionality.
CLINICAL FUNCTIONS:
·Prepare patient by introducing yourself and escorting patient to and from the dental chair.
·Sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, and assist dentist during dental procedures.
·Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patient.
·Take and develop dental diagnostic X-rays.
·Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
·Pour, trim, and polish study casts, fabricate custom impression trays from preliminary impressions, clean and polish removable appliances, and fabricate temporary restorations.
·Assist dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies.
·Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by Dentist.
·Reinforce treatment plan to the patient.
·Record treatment information in patient's records.
Assist in Hygiene Department as needed by performing the following:
·Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs.
·Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
·Polish and floss adult patients after scaling by the Hygienist.
·Assist Hygienist in suctioning, periodontic exams and new patient periodontic screening.
·Perform children’s prophylaxis; polish only (14 years & under).
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
·Prioritize activities and assignments as to their relative importance.
·Exercise care in the completion of work assignments.
·Be responsive to company needs.
·Implement improvement measures and suggests ways to improve efficiency of operation and working conditions.
·Request direction when needed.
·Attend all mandatory office and corporate meetings including morning "huddles" and staff meetings.
·Regular and predicable attendance is required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCEOne-year certificate from college or technical school; or three to six months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be 18 years old to expose patients to ionizing radiation according to Colorado Dental Practice Law dated December 1, 1997.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports, correspondence, and accurately document treatment notes in patients' charts.
Ability to effectively communicate with dentist, staff and patients.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to interpret and apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. To understand the patient's treatment needs and present prescribed treatment in a professional, compassionate manner. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
X-ray certified, CPR certified and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and training.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; move in small spaces; use hands and wrists to finger, handle, or feel and perform dental techniques; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and risk of radiation
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