Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for assisting the dentist in the clinical treatment of patients

SPECIFIC DUTIES

Patient Management

o Greet patients when they sign in and monitor arrival time

o Set up treatment rooms for procedures

o Escort patients to treatment room

o Seat patients in treatment rooms

o Show care and concern, and help patients feel comfortable

o Obtain and review health histories according to office protocol

o Ensure patients are always attended

o Anticipate and assist dentist’s needs

o Perform expanded functions and other tasks as assigned by the dentist

o Mix dental materials

o Ensure patients’ questions are answered thoroughly before they leave

o Chart patients and record date, service rendered and any charges

o Escort patients from the treatment room

o Ensure proper treatment notes are recorded in patient’s chart

o Perform clinical procedures as practice act allows and as directed by dentist

o Give patient instruction and demonstrate when necessary

o Monitor patient flow

o Notify Treatment Coordinator if a patient should be called in the evening after a difficult appointment

Treatment Room Management and Sterilization

o Keep dental units ready, stocked and clean

o Oversee cleanliness of the treatment room according to sterilization procedures

o Disinfect treatment rooms according to OSHA regulations

o Sterilize all instruments and handpieces according to OSHA regulations

o Keep trays, instruments and treatment room drawers organized

o Ensure that office sterilization procedures document is on display

o Promptly send out and monitor all dental laboratory cases

o Implement the preventative maintenance/cleaning schedule for dental equipment

o Maintain dental office emergency kits and nitrous and oxygen tanks

o Follow laboratory procedures according to office protocol

Records Management

o Securely store and handle patient records in compliance with state and federal requirements, including the HIPAA privacy and security regulations

o Accurately file patient information

o Arrange patient charts and radiographs for next day’s appointments

o Track cases and referrals to and from other doctors

o Assist in the administration of the recall system

Inventory Management

o Monitor inventory and order dental office supplies as needed

o Ensure that treatment rooms are stocked at all times

Office Participation

o Help in other areas of the office when necessary (i.e., answering phones, unpacking supplies, completing insurance forms, moving former patient records, etc.)

o Be an active participant in team meetings

o Promote team concept by interacting with others in the office

PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience

o High school diploma or equivalent

o Graduate of accredited dental assisting program or dental assisting experience preferred

o Coursework in dental instruments and procedures

o Compliance with state dental practice requirements (e.g., x-ray requirements, OSHA training)

o Computer skills [list computer skills required and any specific dental software]

o Commitment to CE for career development

Interpersonal

o Good interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members and community

o Effective verbal skills to communicate with patients and staff