Senior Dental Assistant

About Us

Augusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 12,000 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia's cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia's only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today. Our mission and values can be found here. Augusta University's distinct characteristics in education and research include real-world experiences and community engagement, as well as a culture of building community, corporate and government partnerships that address health, security, economic and societal concerns locally and across the state.

Job Summary

The Senior Dental Assistant performs extra-oral chair-side assisting duties in all phases of disciplines of dentistry in the Dental Associates clinic, including emergency dentistry, restorative, pediatric, orthodontic, prosthodontic, endodontic, oral surgery, implant surgeries, and periodontics assisting. Other related work will also be required, including, but not limited to, preventive and daily maintenance of dental operators and equipment, clerical assignments, and radiological and receptionist responsibilities. Performs dental laboratory duties, including but not limited to pouring and trimming molds and fabricating bleaching trays, mouth guards, splints, and night guards. Serves as a liaison for patients, staff, students, residents, and faculty within the Dental College.

Responsibilities

• CHAIR SIDE ASSISTANCE: Assist dental students, residents and /or faculty at chair side as anticipated or required in all phases of dentistry utilizing techniques for 4 handed dentistry. Place matrix bands & wedges; Keeps area of operation clear using high speed evacuator, suction tip and irrigation, retracts tissue, tongue and cheek Maintains aseptic condition and stabilizes tissue in surgical procedures: Itch, prime, bond for composite CPD & FPO framework try-in Cementation of crown & bridge Place retraction cord Assists with border molds Implant Surgeries Polish comal portion of the tooth Place packing for dry socket Hybrid dentures Fabricate crowns and clean Provisionals after cementation Follow all published guidelines regarding personal protective gear and clinical infection control protocol, i.e. Aware of the MSDS sheets handle and dispose of hazardous materials.
• INSTRUMENTS AND INSTRUCTION: Cleaning, packing, and maintaining instruments and equipment required, including sending to and retrieving from central sterilization as needed for daily production. Ensures all implant kits (surgical and restorative) are complete and in good working order. Prepares sterile trays for surgical procedures. Exercises skill in motivating the patient to engage in preventive dental care practices by providing instruction, including demonstrations in brushing and flossing techniques, and explaining the common causes of tooth decay. Answers questions for a clear understanding of treatment.
• LABORATORY DUTIES: Laboratory duties include pouring prosthodontic models from impressions, cleaning and trimming models, boxing and waxing impressions; constructing custom impression trays, night guards, mouth guards, bleaching trays, polishing denture and prosthodontic appliances, and making bite rims. Take face bows and mount the cast with face bows to obtain proper occlusion for cast restorations and reline dentures with hard and soft materials.
• RADIOGRAPHY: Performs a full range of dental radiography work. Operates dental x-ray equipment to include taking routine and specialized radiographs as requested. Take panorex, periapical occlusal, lateral, jaw, and extra-oral radiographs as required. Develops and mounts radiographs into the patient electronic recording Axium. Communicates with the patient, explaining the purpose of the procedure and answering any concerns regarding dental radiographs.
• FOLLOW-UP: Charts findings into the software system as recorded by the dentist and updates medical health histories. Assist in appointing patients for follow-up care.
• GUIDELINES: Follow all published guidelines regarding personal protective gear and clinical infection control protocol established by federal, state, Augusta University, or Dental College of Georgia policies. This includes but is not limited to proper disposal of syringes, needles, and scalpel blades, proper handling of contaminated items, and proper disposal of hazardous materials. Provide dental assisting services to as needed with Health Fairs both on campus and off campus. This may be assisting faculty with screenings or providing educational materials to participants, answering questions, and promoting the Dental College. Follow the organization's incident reporting protocol in case of a medical emergency. Be prepared to perform certain procedures until professional help is available.
• PREPARE: Preparing the operator for treatment. Laying out correct instruments & specific materials as required for the procedure, setting up, and draping the patient, explaining to the patient the treatment procedures to be done, mixing material for impression & restoration, or assembling syringes for anesthesia. May require setting up an operator for surgery, ensuring all fields are appropriately draped, and creating a sterile environment. Assist in other specialty areas when needed, as the work schedule allows. Provide dental assisting services to off-campus sites where dental education/ services are performed by the Dental College of Georgia/Augusta University as needed. This requires personal transportation to and from these sites with mileage reimbursement.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma, or GED, or equivalent from a recognized State or Federal accrediting organization with two years of related experience.
• OR Certified Dental Assistant and/or Associate's degree from an accredited college or university with one year of experience in dentistry
• OR One year experience as a Dental Assistant at the Dental College of Georgia.
• OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with dental knowledge.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a focus in dental or health-related studies.
• Graduation from a Certified Dental Assisting program.
• Current CPR certification.
• Intraoral Radiographic Certification and training in radiological safety.