Dental Assistant

Summary:
Dental assistants serve a very important role in our practice. From comforting a scared patient by explaining the treatment to assisting in highly technical dental procedures, you will be providing a range of interpersonal and technical skills for our practice. This position requires great communication skills, the ability to think quickly on your feet, and the desire to work in a fast-paced environment—among many other skills. The outline below goes over the majority of duties and functions expected of you:
Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Prepare patient for dental treatment by welcoming, comforting, seating, and draping patient
• Prepare patient, sterilize and disinfect instruments, set up instrument trays, prepare materials, and assist dentist during dental procedures
• Maintain a sterile and neat work environment according to current infection control procedures
• Hand instruments and materials to dentist during treatment and keep patient’s mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices
• Review patient’s health history, make chart entries under the direction of the dentist and assure completion of forms and signatures
• Take and record medical and dental histories, vital signs, and other notes as directed by the dentist
• Stock operatories and anticipate need of supplies; place orders for supplies with Head Dental Assistant and verify receipt of supplies
• Review daily schedule to set up appropriate trays and instruments
• Assist in front office procedures such as confirming appointments, receiving patients, keeping treatment records and ordering dental supplies and materials as needed
• Ensure operation of dental equipment by completing maintenance requirements, following manufactures instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, calling for repairs and evaluating new equipment
• Prepare materials for impressions and restorations
• Educate patients by giving oral hygiene, plaque control and postoperative instructions
• Clean and disinfect operatory and dental office as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Physical Characteristics (all of those listed below are essential functions):

• Medicine and Dentistry – General working knowledge of the terminology and techniques as related to the dental field. This includes but is not limited to:
• Ability to take and/or expose clear x-rays free of cone cuts
• Ability to retract and maintain a dry field
• Knows names of all instruments
• Ability to make clinically acceptable anterior and posterior crowns
• Packs cord without causing trauma to the tissue
• Mixes cement and impression materials correctly and with the appropriate viscosity
• Maintains a properly stocked room
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Technical – General knowledge of computer programs, such as typing skills, word processing, and the ability to navigate and use practice management software with ease.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Using glasses or contacts to accomplish this is perfectly acceptable. However, it is the employee’s responsibility to ensure that they have the glasses or contacts available and functional at all times during their shift.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Work Environment:

• Dental Assistants work in a well-lighted, clean environment
• Work area is usually near the dental chair so that instruments, materials, and medication can be arranged and handed to the dentist as needed
• Dental assistants must wear gloves, masks, eye wear, and protective clothing to protect themselves and patients from infectious diseases

Clinical Setting:

• General Dentistry

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Dental assisting: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• Certified Dental Assistant (Required)
• X-ray (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $25 - $27