Dental Assistant

Position Summary

Dental assistants greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of quality oral health care and are valuable members of the dental care team. Dental Assistants help to provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics and oral surgery. They will assist Dentist, set up and maintenance of equipment, prepare patient for treatment from beginning to end of patient appointment.

Essential Functions

• Prepare patient for dental procedure by helping patients feel comfortable before, during and after dental treatment.
• Maintains proper and efficient patient flow management.
• Set up instrument trays, prepare materials, and/or assist Dentist during dental procedures.
• Take and expose dental diagnostic x-rays. Responsible for x-ray sensor care and guidelines.
• Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients.
• Chart existing and proposed treatment in Patient Management Software.
• Aid in the management of medical or dental procedures.
• Provide preoperative explanations and postoperative instructions prescribed by Dentist.
• Record treatment information in patient records.
• Fabricate temporary restorations or custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
• Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts.
• Pour, trim, and polish study casts and prepare whitening trays.
• Clean and polish removable appliances.
• Apply protective coating of fluoride to teeth.
• Teach patient’s appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health.
• Dismiss patients with proper handoffs to other departments.
• Sterilize or disinfect instruments, and operatories.
• May be designated as the Clinical Inventory Administrator. Conducts and mails spore testing for each autoclave, Maintains Clinical Guide Binder, Maintain First Aid kits, Maintain SDS binder and Conducts operatory inspections at the end of each day.
• Responsible for training interns on safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Education & Skills

• Completion of Dental Assisting Program or minimum one year experience as a Dental Assistant.
• Current Dental Assisting Permit Required.
• Current CPR Certification Required.
• X-Ray Certification is required to serve chairside.
• Efficiently operates assigned computer software and other equipment, including Eaglesoft and Microsoft Office Suite.

Other Requirements

• Must have a valid driver's license, proof of valid vehicle insurance and must have annual Motor Vehicle Record Check, as a condition of employment if employee operates any Company owned vehicles or drives their own personal vehicle for Company business purposes.
• Understands HIPAA to ensure patient privacy.
• Clear understanding of sterilization system and infection control.
• Always use protective personal equipment according to State of Oklahoma and Federal guidelines.
• Knowledgeable of CDT codes and passed the Dental Depot CDT test within 20 days of employment.
• Working knowledge of the following procedures: Amalgam and composite fillings, extractions, start and finish root canal, crown prep, impression and temporary crown fabrication, alginate and System 1 and 2 impressions, adjusting and crown delivery, pulpotomy and stainless steel crown, prophylaxis, wax try in, adjusting and delivery flexible and cast metal partials, adjusting and delivering dentures.
• Must have signed the Hepatitis B Vaccination Form declining or accepting the vaccination within 30 days of Employment.