JOB PURPOSE:
To enhance the daily operations of the clinic by providing excellent service and communication to our patients. A dental assistant (DAS) gives the overall impression of the company as typically patients spend most of their time with DAS’s; therefore it is vitally important to set the tone with a positive attitude.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESULTS:
1. CHAIRSIDE ASSISTING:
- Prepare, sterilize, disinfect, and maintain dental instruments, supplies, and equipment.
- Collect and record patient health histories.
- Maintain patient management during dental procedures to make sure the patient is comfortable (i.e. proper suction, using tools in a gentle manner).
- Properly transfer instruments to the doctor and/or second DAS.
- Perform dental procedure isolation techniques. Keep patients’ mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices.
- Preparation of dental materials (cements, amalgam, composite, impression materials, etc.).
- Thorough charting of treatment information in the patients’ dental notes from the doctor.
- Assist doctor in management of medical and dental emergencies.
- Clean and polish removable instruments.
- Fabricate temporary restorations and custom impressions from preliminary impressions.
- Instruct patients on postoperative instructions and general oral health care.
- Teach patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health (i.e. tooth brushing, flossing, and nutritional counseling, etc.).
- Proficient with dental software (Dentrix) for charting, treatment planning, clinical notes, etc.
2. EXPANDED FUNCTIONS:
- Expose diagnostic x-rays and take intra-oral camera pictures (as needed).
- Take impressions.
- Use and maintain diagnodent, water laser, wand, intra-oral camera, etc.
- Adapt temporary crowns for both posterior and anterior.
- Place topical medications.
- Remove excess cement from fabricated restorations and orthodontic bands.
- Insert and adjust removable mouth appliances (i.e. denture, partial, flipper, bite splint, etc.).
3. DENTAL INFECTION CONTROL PROCEDURES:
- Manage the dental office infection control plan to meet OSHA, CDC, and ADA standards.
- Perform instrument cleaning, sterilization/disinfection, and re-circulation.
- Disinfect dental operatory and sterilization.
4. DENTAL LABORATORY PROCEDURES:
- Pour impressions to make models and trim models.
- Fabricate mouth guards, temporary crowns, whitening trays, custom impression trays, etc.
- Prepare casting models and dies.
5. BUSINESS OFFICE PROCEDURES:
- Schedule and confirm patient appointments.
- Pull patient charts and file paperwork.
- Answer the phone and take messages.
- Follow all forms of HIPPA and patient privacy for confidentiality.
- Greet patients and display a proper hand-off to the front office when checking a patient out.
- Make unscheduled treatment calls.
6. PATIENT & COMMUNITY EDUCATION:
- Educate patients on personal oral care instructions (post-op, temporary crowns, removable appliances, extractions, etc.).
- Take part in community dental health presentations.
- Help to provide direct patient care in all dental specialties, including orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and oral surgery.
7. DENTAL ASSISTING - SPECIALTY AREAS:
- Assist with endodontic procedures and oversee the care of the endo equipment (microscope, hand pieces, files, etc.).
- Assist with conscious sedation and oversee the patient’s blood pressure and pulse oximeter readings.
- Assist with implant procedures.
- Assist with orthodontic procedures.
- Assist with TMJ procedures.
- Assist with perio procedures.
- Assist with oral surgery procedures.
8. SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Exemplify excellent patient service by answering questions in a thorough manner and following up with the patient (when need be).
- Foster a positive attitude at work when interacting with staff and patients and be a team player.
- Practice First Choice Dental’s philosophy of 3-step communication.
- Perform work in an efficient manner and be timely with patient care.
- Provide a proper handoff to the doctor.
- Conduct unscheduled treatment calls and talk to patients about scheduling their next appointment.
- Be willing to help out at other sites (on day off or when asked).
- Help with keeping the doctor and schedule running on time.
- Respect patient privacy by maintaining a professional tone and by not discussing personal matters with other staff in front of a patient. The focus and conversation should always be centered around the patient. Keep level of voice controlled in order to not disturb other patients.
- Initiate ideas for ways the site can improve or become more efficient.
- Maintain effective organizational skills and a high attention to detail.
- Take the time to carefully explain information to patients in a non-technical manner.