Dental Assistant I

About the role

The Dental Assistant I position provides a range of clinical, administrative, and staff support to a full-range dental services operation. This includes assisting in the performance of dental and radiography procedures, preparing and maintaining dental equipment, and coordinating day-to-day patient administration.

Responsibilities

• Provides chair-side assistance to dentists and/or dental hygienists in the performance of dental procedures, including operative, preventive, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, and/or oral surgical procedures.
• Prepares, sterilizes, organizes, and sets up dental equipment, ensuring all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to established clinic guidelines and standards.
• Maintains dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers, and light curing units, in accordance with manufacturers' guidelines.
• Exposes and processes dental radiographs in accordance with provider orders; assists in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols.
• Fulfills other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School graduate or GED certificate required.
• Graduation from an ADA recognized certificate program is preferred.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish is preferred.
• Work experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified is strongly preferred.
• Active license from NM Board of Dental Healthcare with certification required in: Dental Radiography, CPR Certification.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Knowledge of sterile procedures.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a wide range of dental equipment in accordance with prescribed procedures and standards.
• Ability to expose and process dental radiographs.
• Knowledge of radiation safety procedures, standards, and protocols.
• Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
• Interviewing skills.
• Knowledge of planning and scheduling techniques.
• Knowledge of patient evaluation and triage procedures.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Knowledge and familiarity with compliance program.
• Cooperate fully and comply with laws and regulations.

Physical Characteristics/Working Conditions

• A person in this position has sufficient time to complete most tasks although under pressure depending on patient and organization demands.
• Frequent opportunities to relax from any physical exertion or to change position in work activities.
• Physical effort and dexterity: Good dexterity to operate personal computer, and basic medical and laboratory equipment. Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
• Machines, tools, and equipment required to be operated: Capable of using medical equipment, office machines, and personal computers for word processing, data entry, and retrieval.
• Visual acuity, hearing, and speaking: Must be able to read computer monitor output and results of basic medical tests accurately. Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance.
• Environment/working conditions: Work is mostly inside a clinic in a controlled environment. Normal clinic safety precautions and practices are required. Position may require travel throughout the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
• Work regularly scheduled Monday-Friday, although weekends may be required to meet deadlines.