The dental assistant will provide oral care such as diagnostic dental radiographs, regular dental prophylaxis (cleanings), fluoride application, oral hygiene instructions to the parents/patients at their appointments. The dental assistant will also assist the doctor with all appointments by having all equipment and dental instruments ready for the doctor. The dental assistant is responsible for maintaining the highest level of infection control and to eliminate any cross contamination between patients. It is the responsibility of the dental assistant to have master knowledge of equipment use to prevent any damage to the equipment and keep it in good working condition. If any equipment appears to not be working properly, it is the assistant’s responsibility to report this immediately to the lead dental assistant for evaluation and to submit a work order for the repair of this equipment. It is the dental assistant’s responsibility to have master knowledge of sterilization procedures and equipment.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Works as a team with all other clinical members to complete morning tasks sheet, morning cleaning responsibilities of office, turn on nitrous oxide and oxygen tanks and wall monitor in correct order, ensures all drawers and stocked with supplies and dental instruments and assists front desk staff where needed to start the day.

2. Delivers direct patient care to patients as assigned, using established pediatric dental procedures.

3. Performs patient triage and initiates patient care as appropriate for emergency patients.

4. Takes patients back to the treatment area to get started with their appointment in a timely manner.

5. Reviews the patient memo and makes sure there is a clear understanding of services that will and will not be covered so that this can be explained to the parent in a clear, helpful way.

6. Is able to explain all frequencies and limitations of the individual’s insurance plan to the parent to address any concerns and answer any questions.

7. Reviews account screen for possible services that may be out of pocket, based on previous visits and insurance payments.

8. Is able to explain services in which the doctor deems necessary for each patient and why they are necessary when the parent asks, such as obtaining radiographs, fluoride applications, the use of nitrous oxide, etc.

9. Is knowledgeable and able to explain the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines on patient safety, recommendations for prescribing dental radiographs and behavior management.

10. Ensures only services that were completed on each patient are walked out and double checks to make sure there are no errors with walked out services for the patients seen each day.

11. Follows all standards under HIPAA and OSHA training.

12. Knows the Frankl behavior scale and can apply it to each patient.

13. Develops and implements individualized dental care plans for patients.

14. Assesses dental condition and needs of patient by analyzing medical histories/medical consults and prescribed protocol and communicates this with the doctor so the doctor can formulate effective treatment plans.

15. Uses patient screening procedures to include medical history review of each patient, communicates any concerns to the doctor prior to completing any services on this patient to verify there are no concerns prior to completing a dental cleaning or radiographs.

16. Creates medical consults to the patient’s physician or specialist with contact information as needed, obtains parent signature, prints the consult and places in the medical consult form tray to be sent by the Front Desk Coordinator.

17. Ensures medical consult responses were obtained from the patient’s physician and documents this in the chart note of what the response stated prior to starting any services.

18. Documents dental history or chief complaint of the patient.

19. Documents chart notes correctly in the format in which they were extensively trained.

20. Documents dental conditions in the patient ledger and chart.

21. Master knowledge of all autonotes in Eaglesoft and when to use each one.

22. Reviews all chart notes for the patients that were seen for the day to ensure completeness.

23. Signs in and out of each computer station when appropriate, and does not stay signed in at several stations.

24. Records and reports pertinent observations and patient/ parent reactions to dental staff, as appropriate.

25. Performs routine treatment procedures, such as cleanings, polishing, dental radiographs, application of sealants and fluorides, and related procedures.

26. Performs monitoring of the use of nitrous oxide under direct supervision of the pediatric dentist.

27. Documents and prepares lab scripts and ensures follow up results.

28. Is able to use Eaglesoft to write a prescription for a patient under the direct supervision of the pediatric dentist.

29. Performs emergency procedures such as CPR as needed.

30. Assists with or institutes emergency measures for sudden adverse developments during treatment of patients.

31. Communicates technical information to non-technical personnel.

32. Sets up and prepares dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.

33. Assists in preparation of patient care areas and in the patient admission, transfer and discharge process, as required.

34. Prepares reports and assists as required with front desk, telephone calls, routine triage and other office duties.

35. Performs patient education, discharge planning and post-operative instructions and patient/parent education under the supervision of a pediatric dentist.

36. Is able to intake constructive coaching from managers and doctors and use it to become a better assistant.

37. Respects all team members as well as managers and doctors of the practice.

38. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

39. Works as a team with all other clinical staff members to complete afternoon day tasks sheet, afternoon cleaning responsibilities of office, turning off all nitrous and oxygen wall monitor and tanks, ensures all sterilization instruments are packaged correctly and ran, all treatment areas are clean, all staff rooms are clean.

40. Checks with team members and lead assistant before clocking out and leaving each day.

41. Removes all trash from the office each day and places in appropriate dumpster.

Competencies

1. Communication Proficiency.

2. Customer Service/Client Focus.

3. Ethical Conduct.

4. Organizational Skills.

5. Efficiency.

6. Team Player.

7. Problem Solving/Analysis.

8. Thoroughness.

9. Time Management.

Work Environment

This job operates in a dental/clinical environment. This role routinely uses clinical equipment such as radiology machines, dental gases and dental materials. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functionns of this job.

The employee frequently is required to talk, hear and see; stand for long periods of time; walk; use hand to finger; handle to feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 30 pounds.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to blood and blood borne pathogens and/or physical risks, which will require OSHA training.

Position Type/ Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are some exceptions where the job may require coming prior to 7:45 a.m. and staying past 5 p.m. summer hours are Monday through Friday 6:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The position requires working one Saturday per month from 7:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Travel

Travel is required between the four locations (O’Fallon office, Des Peres office, Ladue office, and Chesterfield office).

Required Education and Experience

1. Knowledge and understanding of pediatric dentistry and associated procedures, terminology and techniques.

2. Completes on the job training program with senior dental assistant in office and with training materials given to study at home.

3. Completes on the job OSHA and HIPAA training program.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. High school diploma or GED.

2. Knowledge of office and company regulations and guidelines for the provision of pediatric dental services.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

1. Current CPR certification

2. Employee must submit to a post offer, pre-employment physical examination/medical history check.

3. Employee may be required to submit to an annual Tuberculosis (TB) and Rubella screening.

Work Authorization

Must be a US citizen.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.