Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION: Dental Assistant

Job Title: Dental Assistant (DA)/(EFDA)/(RDA)

Reports To: Dentist

VISION

The Dental Assistant is the right-hand of the doctor taking care of all the needs of our patients. They create efficient delivery models, instrumentation, and sterilization so the dentist can provide the best clinical care and results. They provide a calm and warm environment for patients who are otherwise anxious and concerned about “what is going to happen next.” The clinical skills required for getting ready for anesthetic, support of restorative/cosmetic procedures, and the taking of x-rays are delivered with the best outcomes.

The Dental Assistant sets the tone for the appointment by engaging in purposeful conversations that identify patients’ motivators, concerns, and captures all pertinent information through effective charting skills. The Dental Assistant supports patients’ clinical and emotional needs by ensuring that patients want the treatment that they need. They coordinate with the front office team to ensure seamless delivery and accountability for scheduling and follow-through on financial arrangements. The number one responsibility of all employees is patient care and meeting patient needs. This guide outlines responsibilities that must be accomplished daily, weekly, and monthly. Additional responsibilities may be required, as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Relationship building skills
• Influencing skills
• Computer skills including digital radiographs and practice management software
• Teamwork and leadership skills
• Ability to market the practice
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Superb verbal skills with patients and staff
• Overall understanding of the practice’s philosophy and systems
• Organized charting skills
• Excellent clinical skills, expanded duties, x-rays, etc.
• Familiarity with all the instruments necessary for each procedure and how the dentist likes to be supported
• Overall understanding of all aspects of the back office
• Disinfection and sterilization skills meeting or exceeding OSHA standards
• Motivated to stay up-to-date on medical, dental and hygiene protocols
• Keen understanding of scheduling and financial systems in order to support the processes from the operatory
• Ability to function within a team environment as a supportive and positive contributor

KEY GOALS/BENCHMARKS OF ROLE

• Daily, monthly, and yearly production goals achieved
• Support of the overall goals and strategies per the Annual Plan
• Efficient procedures executed within the timed procedure guidelines
• Dental supply percentages per the Annual Plan
• Room turnover occurs in agreed upon time
• Effective debriefs and baton passes to both the Scheduling and Financial Coordinators
• Patients referrals generated as a result of patient invitations
• Positive patient reviews of the back-office experienceES

Job Specific

• Take digital radiographs including vertical and horizontal bitewings, periapicals, full-mouth series, as well as film panoramic, bitewings, periapicals or occlusals, as needed.
• Take intraoral photographs to complete records and aid in treatment planning.
• Prepare the patient for the appropriate procedures (seating, applying the topical, etc.).
• Instruct patient in tooth brushing and flossing techniques, aids and proxy, brush, perio aids, disclosing methods, electric toothbrushes and waterjets, oral rinses, anti-caries products, and nutrition.
• Support the doctor during the procedure through charting and instrumentation.
• Assist the doctor when examining the hygiene patients. Make sure the patient’s record is complete and all services for the day’s treatment are recorded.
• Maintain proper sterilization-package instruments in their correct groupings and check bur blocks for completeness and order.
• Put away instruments in rooms and keep bur blocks and other supplies stocked.
• Disinfect operatories between procedures.
• See that lab cases are checked in and are going out in a timely manner.
• Communicate with the lab to resolve any other lab issues.
• Utilize an efficient system to alert the front office that the case has arrived in the office.
• Enter detailed and accurate notes with all the pertinent discussions of treatment recommendations, options, and timeline plans noted in the computer in a joint effort with the doctor and treatment coordinator, when necessary.
• Communicate referral and medical consult information to other offices and patients, and follow-up on progress of referrals/medical consultations.
• Properly dispose of the biohazard bags in box.
• Ensure nitrous and oxygen tanks are changed when needed.
• If RDA/EFDA – Perform all the clinical duties that are called for, per your licensure.

Practice Management

• Do a thorough chart review and bring pertinent information to the huddle.
• Review the schedule to share if there are any special needs or areas of concern to share with the staff.
• Debrief and handoff patients appropriately so that the front desk knows what was done during the appointment and the patient is accountable.
• Organize the back office, sterilization, and lab areas.
• Manage the clinical inventory system.
• Make sure post-op calls are completed as delegated with proper documentation.
• Write or call patients that made a special impact on the office thanking them for being our patient.
• Complete Daily 5 checklist for your role each day.
• Complete all assigned tasks in the Spear Platform Action Center.

Teamwork

• All back-office staff needs to look for projects to keep them busy during down time.
• Proactively communicate with the front office so they know any changes in treatment and what treatment needs to be done at the next appointment.
• Lead and participate in staff meetings with skills including facilitation, training, and problem-solving.
• Take initiative when practice is running behind or under staffed.
• Assist front office when called upon for tasks including filing and pulling charts, organizing the inside of old charts, health histories that have had changes and specialist letters with the newest stapled to the top.
• Shred health histories that have no changes.
• Make confirmation calls, medical consultations, referrals and post-op or follow-up calls.
• Assist hygiene when possible with charting, panos, and other tasks that help serve our patients.
• Embody the practice philosophy in all actions and decisions.
• Fully utilize admin time to prepare for next day.
• Take initiative when practice is running behind or under staffed.

EQUIPMENT USED

Includes but is not limited to:

• Autoclave
• X-rays
• Intraoral camera
• Ultrasonic
• Blood pressure

LEADERSHIP/SELF-DIRECTION RESPONSIBILITY

It is expected that you will perform any function asked of you knowing that you will never be asked to do anything that is illegal, immoral, or unethical. We stand by the vision of the practice to provide an atmosphere of continuous learning and of mutual support where everyone bands together as a team to provide the utmost in care to our patients while honoring each other.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $16.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

COVID-19 considerations:
Our offices are not currently taking additional COVID precautions.

Work Location: In person

gatheringourvoice.org is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, gatheringourvoice.org provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, gatheringourvoice.org is the ideal place to find your next job.