Dental Assistant

DESCRIPTION: Performs all activities related to dental assisting. Work involves assisting the Dentist and/or Dental Hygienist; performs clerical duties as needed.

SUPERVISION: Supervised by the Director of Dental Services.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Requires prolonged standing, sitting, bending, and stooping. May be required to lift or move up to 35 pounds. Requires the use of electronic office equipment as well as dental equipment.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares patients for examination and treatment and dismisses them upon completion by the dentist.
• Assists Dentist or Hygienist during dental or hygiene procedures as needed.
• Cleans, maintains and sterilizes dental operatory rooms, equipment and instruments.
• Takes vital signs and radiographs (expose radiographs) on all patients following ADA guidelines and as ordered by Dentist.
• Obtain patient's medical history, record blood pressure and pulse for Dentist to review with patient.
• Gives post-operative and prescription instructions to patients after procedures.
• Prepare and maintains dental operatory rooms.
• Sets dental appointments.
• Records dental and other notations as instructed by the dentist/hygienist.
• Greets clients at the window.
• Initiates encounter forms and pulls charts.
• Files dental records and x-ray results.
• Pulls records for appointments and searches for missing records.
• Assists dentist and/or dental hygienist with dental record requests.
• Transfers records from record room to the vital rooms.
• Complies with OSHA standards.
• Maintains dental supplies inventory.
• Receives phone calls relating to dental department.
• Presents all patient records to the dentist and call his/her attention information pertinent to the case.
• Assists with physical inventory for dental equipment.
• Answers the telephone, transfers calls as needed.
• Prepares numbers for appointments.
• Makes copies, sends/receives faxes, etc.
• Maintain logs such as maintenance, DA duties, sterilization, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate from an accredited high school or GED program.
• Graduate from an approved vocational or technical school for dental assisting OR
• One year of dental assistant experience OR
• One year of office experience in a dental or medical related field.
• Active Registered Dental Assistant Certificate by Texas State Board of Dental Examiners.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is preferred.
• Must meet State Board requirements to maintain license in good standing.
• Must have an active Texas Drivers' License.
• Must have a current BLS Certificate.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Must be able to use a variety of office/dental equipment.
• Must be able to follow directions.
• Working knowledge of acceptable office procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with patient population. Ability to communicate effectively with patient population.
• Must be familiar with principles of nutrition and dental health, various dental instruments and medications.
• Must have a working knowledge of computers.
• Must be proficient in taking vital signs

Ability to travel between all clinic locations.