Dental Assistant

Responsibilities

• Prepares the work area for dental procedure by gathering all necessary equipment for anticipated procedures, checking the operatory for a clean work area, and securing the patient’s chart, radiographs, etc, for the dentist’s use.
• Greets the patient, escorts the patient and parent/guardian to operatory. Makes patient and/or parent guardian aware of services to be received.
• Reviews the patients’ medical and dental history, noting any changed in the patient chart and notifying the dentist.
• Assists the dentist in the administration of treatment at the chairside such as:
• Provides proper instruments, at the correct time, in proper sequence for any given treatment procedure.
• Prepares dental material correctly, as needed, and in an amount sufficient to meet the needs of the procedure.
• Anticipates the sequence of dental procedures and is prepared in advance so that the dentist may work as efficiently as possible.
• Captures and saves digital radiographs
• Takes temporary crown impressions, make and cement temporary crowns.
• Conducts patient education such as treatment plan review, post-op instructions and oral hygiene technics.
• All techniques and procedures should be known for all phases of general and pediatric dentistry.
• Works diligently to ensure that the dentists schedule is full and the benchmark of patients to be seen daily is met.
• Performs independent procedures as delegated and directed by the dentist in accordance with state regulation and law
• Maintains equipment in accordance with manufacturer directions and dental department policy and protocol.
• Maintains all dental clinic areas in compliance with dental policies relative to infections control, exposure control and safety measures.
• Receives and places necessary telephone calls consistent with professional matters, patient recall, confirming patients, other clinic business and requiring patient calls and post op follow up.
• Ensures the proper disposal of all contaminated or potentially contaminated materials in accordance with policy as well as state and federal regulations.

Requirements

• Must have a valid Illinois driver’s license and auto liability insurance on personal vehicles.
• BLS/CPR Certification must be maintained. Knowledge of basic first aid is required.
• Graduate of a Dental Assisting Program/clinical component
• Physical Requirements:
  • Position requires occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting and stretching.
  • Position requires sitting for prolonged periods of time, frequent walking and standing.
  • Requires occasional lifting and carrying of up to 10 pounds.
  • Reliable transportation on the job is mandatory.