Dental Assistant - Entry Level

About the role

Entry-Level Dental Assistants perform tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills as they relate to patient care, laboratory duties, and office duties. They work chairside as dentists examine and treat patients, making patients comfortable, preparing them for treatment, and obtaining dental records. The assistant hands instruments and materials to the dentist, keeps patients' mouths dry and clear using suction or other devices, sterilizes and disinfects instruments and equipment, prepares trays for procedures, and instructs patients on postoperative and general oral health care.

Entry-Level Dental Assistants are either dental assistants receiving on-the-job training or new graduates from a dental assisting program. They are expected to use each patient encounter for skills development. It is within protocol to seek assistance for new processes, but the expectation is that entry-level assistants will reduce dependence on others after reasonable exposure to new duties. The intent is for entry-level assistants to advance to a Level I Dental Assistant position within six months.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Location

West Omaha Dental Clinic (120th and I). Travel to other OW Dental Clinics as needed.

Responsibilities

• Prepares patient treatment rooms by following prescribed procedures and protocols.
• Obtains accurate blood pressure readings from patients using automated wrist cuffs or arm cuffs.
• Assists the dentist chairside with diagnostic, operative, and surgical appointments and procedures (e.g., extractions, fillings, cleanings, bridges).
• Requests a more experienced dental assistant to substitute for difficult procedures and uses the experience as a learning opportunity.
• Sizes and fits Dryshield or other isolation units.
• Arranges radiographs correctly (upon attainment of certificate) and properly charts existing oral conditions.
• Requests assistance with difficult radiograph capture as needed.
• Performs coronal polishing of teeth (upon attainment of certificate).
• Cleans, disinfects, sterilizes, and prepares all dental surfaces, instruments, and equipment.

The tasks outlined above are intended to provide a general overview of the role and are not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or job functions. Additional tasks may be assigned as needed to support the business, and responsibilities may evolve to meet the changing needs of the organization.