Dental Assistant-Expanded Functions

Described Duties:

• Work cooperatively with Northwest Health Services (NHS) providers, supervisors, and personnel to carry out the goals and objectives of NHS according to governing body requirements and established internal policies and procedures.
• Treat others respectfully whether it is a patient, fellow employee, member of management, customer, vendor or visitor to our premises.
• Assist the dentist(s) and/or dental hygienist(s) to provide efficient and professional services to patients.
• Prepares patient for dental provider.
• Sets up instruments, equipment and materials accurately.
• Assists the dental provider to maintain a clear field of vision.
• Passes instruments, equipment and materials safely and accurately.
• Dispenses and manipulates materials accurately and economically.
• Anticipates and establishes routines with provider.
• Is “one step ahead” of dental provider, “pushing forward” to assist in a helpful and non-stressful manner when the provider is running late.
• Assists the dental provider to increase efficiency, especially when running behind schedule or busy.
• Reassures, welcomes and chats with patients in a confident and helpful manner at the appropriate times to allay their fears and any concerns.
• Maintain optimal infection control standards.
• Cleans, sterilizes and disinfect instruments, equipment and treatment room per infection control policy.
• Maintains surgery and sterilizing room cleanliness and neatness.
• Follow OSHA, CDC, ADA and HIPAA standards for infection control.
• Records treatment information in patient records.
• Perform x-rays and development per provider request.
• Take, pour and send impressions to lab.
• Perform restorative and prosthodontic procedures as credentialed.
• Clean treatment rooms as needed and at the end of the day, and close facility as requested.
• Assist and relieve the front office area as required.
• Assist in maintaining optimal supply levels.
• Contribute via teamwork to the smooth running of the practice and the maintenance of a friendly staff atmosphere.
• Comply with the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

• Possess cognitive skills necessary to understanding terminology, dental records, instructions, and problem solve.
• Provide dental care services efficiently in a health care environment, exhibiting fine motor skills and precise eye/hand coordination.
• Physically assist patients as needed in the health center environment.
• Displays a friendly, positive attitude and communicates with patients, families, physicians and co-workers in a professional manner. Ability to communicate verbally and written. Handles stressful situations professionally. Demonstrates tact and patience in communication with patients, families, and NHS staff.
• Possess ability to see, talk, hear, read, write, walk, kneel, stand, sit, react, and lift, pull and push up to 50 pounds.
• Must respect and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Maintain professional appearance and demeanor at all times.
• Must be able to handle stressful situations.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License, and proof of insurance for personal vehicle used for business.
• Possess certification from the Missouri Dental Board for expanded function training in restorative and prosthodontic skills.
• Maintains current CPR certifications.
• Graduate from accredited high school or equivalent.
• Must demonstrate basic computer skills.
• Exhibits fine motor skills, precise eye/hand coordination to provider dental care services efficiently in a health care environment.
• Demonstrates the ability to turn on the computer and monitor, navigate from the desktop to Microsoft Office, open, minimize, and maximize different windows in the Microsoft Office Applications.
• Need Ability to visually assess patient condition; communicate with patient in order to assess condition and evaluate effects of care. Use visual, hearing, feeling, and smell.
• Needles, cuts, back injury, body fluids, blood, punctures, scratches, physical injury from combative patients, radiation exposure, blood products, road and weather hazards when driving required. Infection/disease exposure from patients, visitors, and co-workers.