Dental Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY: Responsibilities include taking and developing dental x-rays of teeth and adjacent tissues; assists dentist and oral surgical staff during diagnosis and treatment; maintains patient records and provides services to pediatric through geriatric patients. Position: Dental Assistant Department: Dental Clinic Schedule: Full Time ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES: Takes, develops, mounts and files dental x-rays of patients. Takes dental impressions and produces poured models, as instructed by dental provider. Performs technical chair side assistance during dental procedures and examinations. Prepares materials and passes instruments to dental provider as requested. Provides patients with instructions for oral care following all dental treatment procedures. Educates patients on appropriate oral hygiene and follow-up care to maintain oral health. Greets and directs patients, and answers inquiries pertaining to x-rays, dentists, and oral surgical staff. Answers phone calls or routes calls as required. Takes, develops, mounts and files dental radiographs. Keeps records of names of patients, of film, number of the total number of patients. Label and stores film in accordance with department instructions. Reviews, orders, and restocks dental x-ray film and other supplies as needed to maintain par levels. Communicates with other departments to ensure follow-up of patient needs i.e. laboratory and clinics. Assists in training dental assistant students Ensures work area is clean and presentable to patient/clients at all times. Represents self and the organization is a positive and nurturing manner; maintains a positive and patient focused demeanor. Utilizes hospital's behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the hospital's mission and goals Must adhere to all of BMC's RESPECT behavioral standards. (The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required). EDUCATION: Minimum of a High School diploma or GED is required. Graduate of a certified dental assistant program that complies with Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards for radiological techniques and safeguards in dentistry (or equivalent, such as 1 year experience in a dental office doing chair side or completion of Armed Forces training) is also required. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED: Must meet at least one of the following: (a) Hold a current national DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Certification (b) Be a Massachusetts Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA), (c) Be a Massachusetts Formally Trained Dental Assistant (FTDA) OR Trained On-the-Job (OJT) as a Dental Assistant and completed both (a) A course in radiological techniques and safeguards and (b) pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety exam (RHS) or other exam approved by the board, within one year of the course completion. EXPERIENCE: Previous experience in a dental setting preferred. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Knowledge of oral hygiene and dental assistance functions. Excellent manual dexterity, and ability to perform detailed and accurate work. Excellent interpersonal skills that demonstrate concern and caring attitude towards patients, family members and staff. Basic computer proficiency inclusive of ability to enter and access data/information. OJT acceptable BMC Named by U.S. News & World Report Among the Best Hospitals in the Region and a High Performing Provider in the Areas of Nephrology and Geriatrics The Human Rights Campaign named BMC a Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality in its 2014 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) report. BMC Named one of the 150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare by Becker’s Hospital Review Boston Magazine Named 62 BMC Physicians as “Tops" in their Respective Fields, Including Nahid Bhadelia, MD, Infectious Diseases, Featured on the Cover. BMC wins Healthy Hospital Award from Stryker Sustainability Solutions for our dedication to reducing waste and investing in environmentally sound health care practices. Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Analytics Electronic Medical Records Adoption Model Honors BMC with Stage 6 Recognition.