(Archived) Dental Assistant

Job Purpose

To effectively and efficiently assist the dentist in providing dental care to patients and to promote Familia Dental’s culture and mission and values.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Dental Assistant performs many tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills. Although state regulations vary, responsibilities may include:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Welcome and escort patient in a professional and friendly manner from reception area to and from the treatment areas.
• Ensure treatment rooms are equipped and stocked with inventory and re-order when necessary.
• Schedule appointments and assist in appointment confirmation calls.
• Take and record patient’s medical and dental histories and vital signs; blood pressure & pulse.
• Insure review and completion of documentation; accurate and current medical history, medical alerts, and signed consent forms.
• Document/chart all dental procedures performed during each patient visit per Dentist’s instructions and legal requirements.
• Recognize signs of a dental emergency, and insure proper and timely response and notice to patient, staff, and emergency medical personnel when necessary.
• Take and develop dental diagnostic x-rays.
• Make preliminary impressions for study casts.
• Pour and base diagnostic models, and fabricate temporary restorations – as allowed by state law.
• Sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials and assist Dentist during dental procedures.
• Provide patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental treatment procedures postoperative instructions as prescribed by Dentist.
• Effectively provide dental education and information to patients to insure patient awareness of dental health, and oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (e.g., tooth brushing, flossing and nutritional counseling).
• Effectively present to patient the dental treatment plan and proposed plan for continuing treatments in professional and confidential manner.
• Communicate with the patient treatment that will be performed and financial obligation before starting procedure.
• Understand and explain insurance benefits and financial options in non-clinical terms.
• Notify Office Manager of equipment trouble or general safety concerns.
• Attend and participate in morning huddles, chart reviews and regular office meetings.
• Attend continuing education and training seminars as scheduled.
• Understand and follow HIPAA regulations and maintain confidentiality.
• Understand and follow state and Federal OSHA laws, infection control, safety standards in the dental office and operatory, including wearing personal protective (PPE) barriers such as gloves, disposable gowns, and eye wear; disinfecting and sterilizing instruments and treatment areas; and disposing properly of contaminated or bio-hazardous waste/materials.
• Learn and follow Familia Dental’s administrative and operational procedures.
• Review and follow Employee Handbook to ensure consistent standards.
• Communicate with the Office Manager to establish office goals and insurance concerns.
• Maintain professional working environment within office team.
• Clean, dispose trash, and submit trouble ticket submission to correct any maintenance issues.
• Additional delegable duties as allowed by state.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent customer/patient service and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to read, write, speak and understand information and effectively present information one-on-one with patients.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out details written or verbally instructed.
• Basic computer knowledge and experience with dental management software experience. EagleSoft experience is preferred.

• Ability to work in fast paced, patient-focused environment.
• Detail oriented. Dental assistants must be aware of and follow state specific rules and protocols.
• Interpersonal skills. Sometimes patients are in pain and/or mental stress. The Dental Assistant should be patient and sensitive to patient emotions.
• Listening skills. Dental Assistants must be able to listen to patients and other healthcare workers, and follow directions from a Dentist or supervisor.
• Organizational skills. Dental Assistants should have excellent organizational skills; insure the dentist has the correct tools and supplies ready to treat patients.

Qualifications (Experience, Education, Licensure, Certification)

• Previous dental assisting experience preferred but not required.
• Meet state requirements for Dental Assistant duties, continuing education or licensure; Basic Life Support (BLS), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate, and radiography certificate.

Work Conditions and Schedules

• Dental Assistants work under the supervision of [Register to View] and the Office Manager in their day-to-day activities. The practice environment is fast paced.
• Dental Assistants work in a well-lit, clean environment. Their work area is usually near the dental chair so that they can arrange instruments, materials, and medication and hand them to the dentist when needed.
• Dental Assistants follow safety procedures to minimize the risks associated with the use of x-ray machines and other equipment.
• Dental assistants may work full time or part time. Some evening or weekend hours may be required, depending on the practice.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain in a stationary position, sitting and/or standing, for extended time [e.g. sitting chairside assisting dentist during procedures].
• Ability to bend, climb stairs and lift [e.g., packing/unpacking boxes, stocking inventory on shelves].

Nothing in this job description restricts Familia Dental’s right to assign or reassign job duties and responsibilities for this position at any time.