Dental Assistant (Basic)

About the role

The primary function of a dental assistant (DA) is to perform chair-side assistance in all areas of dentistry such as, restorative, prosthodontics, surgery, endodontics, and periodontics for both routine and emergent care. Dental Assistants will greet and seat patients, take radiographs, set-up instruments for procedures, clean/disinfect operatories, use proper infection control protocol at all times. DA’s are also involved with community programs such as the School-based Sealant & Fluoride Varnish Program. DA’s will rotate through all clinics within the TCRHCC Dental Program.

Responsibilities

• Prepare patient for proper dental procedures including setting up instruments
• Sterilizing dental instruments and equipment at satellite clinics
• Organizing and laying out instruments for dental provider’s use
• Meeting and greeting patients and seating them in the dental chair
• Keeps alert to condition of patient during treatment; checking for signs of fainting, shock, or other signs of distress
• Perform routine dental laboratory procedures including pouring and trimming models, constructing custom impression trays, fabricating base plates and bite rims, fabricating mouth guards, basic denture repairs, etc
• Perform rubber dam isolation for restorative/operative and endodontic procedures
• Responsible for cleaning, packaging and sterilizing all dental instruments and proper storage
• Proficient in taking radiographs
• Proficient in dental charting for exams and treatment planning
• After appropriate training, may provide supragingival cleanings using a Piezon, rubber cup prophylaxis, dental sealants, and fluoride treatments under general supervision by a dental provider
• Provide Oral Hygiene Instructions (OHI) and Post-Op Instructions (POI) for certain procedures (e.g. extractions, root canal treatments)
• Completes all mandatory trainings and certifications as required of the position in the timeframe designated by supervisor (e.g. radiology, infection control, periodontal therapy, mandatory hospital trainings)
• Will work with EDR and EHR programs; training will be provided
• Ensure proper PPE is always worn while on duty including but not limited to, face mask, gloves, gown, isolation gown, NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirator or higher, if available), and eye or face shield
• Complete all donning and doffing tasks in a safe acceptable method and discard of used PPE accordingly. (see CDC website for most current updates)
• Completes all patient care documentation in the electronic health record entries accurately and in real-time.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Education: Must have a high school diploma or GED
• Must have completed a Dental Assistant Training Course in a program of 13 weeks or greater in duration; EXCEPTION due to Pandemic: If no Dental Assistant Training Course has been completed, then candidate can be considered if one has worked as a Dental Assistant for 1 year within the past 3 years
• Certification: Applicant must have active Basic Life Support (BLS) certification by the American Heart Association. (BLS certification must be maintained during employment at TCRHCC)
• Experience: Must have experience with chair-side assistance as part of Dental Assisting (DA) Training program and be able to demonstrate knowledge of dental instruments and experience with rubber-dam isolation. Must have worked: As a DA continuously for 1 year within the past 5 years or as a volunteer DA for 2 months if the date of graduation from DA training is 5 yrs or more from the date of application for employment OR As a DA or volunteer DA if the date of graduation from DA training is 0-5 yrs from the date of application for employment. Exceptions due to Pandemic: if the date of graduation from DA training is within the past 2 year, then experience is not required if no DA training course completed, then must have worked for 1 year as a DA within the past 3 years
• Other Skills And Abilities: A record of satisfactory performance in all prior and current employment as evidenced by positive employment references from previous and current employers. All employment references must indicate success in each of the following areas: Positive working relationships with others Possession of high ethical standards and no history of complaints Reliable and dependable; reports to work as scheduled without excessive absences Knowledge of dental instruments, basic dental anatomy and operation of dental x-ray equipment Must be proficient in dental charting for treatment planning purposes Must be proficient in “four-handed dentistry” Basic computer skills needed to complete required administrative tasks Successful completion of and positive results from all background and reference checks, including positive employment references from authorized representatives of past and current employers demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC a record of satisfactory performance and that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job Successful completion of fingerprint clearance requirements, physical examinations, and other screenings indicating that the applicant is qualified to be employed by TCRHCC and demonstrating to the satisfaction of TCRHCC that the applicant can perform the essential functions of the job Submission of all required employment-related documents, applications, resumes, references, and other required information free of false, misleading or incomplete information, as determined by TCRHCC.