Description

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Dentist, the Dental Assistant performs the duties of assisting the Dentist in providing oral health services for both routine and emergent dental care.  Receives patients, seats them, adjusts dental chair, and prepares patient for treatment indicated.  Provides routine maintenance on dental equipment and instruments.  Instructs patients in brushing and flossing techniques, care of prosthodontic appliances, and common causes of tooth decay.  Operates dental x-ray equipment for digital processing.

Supervision Exercised

Supervised by Health Center Dentist.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Prepares and arranges instruments, medications and required materials.
2. Must prepare patient for proper dental procedures including setting up instruments.
3. Practicing good customer service to patients comprises meeting and greeting patients and seating them in the dental chair.
4. Assists patient in completing medical history and inputs information into Electronic Dental Records (EDR) system.
5. Monitors the condition of patient during treatment checking for signs of fainting, shock, or other signs of distress and alerts the Dentist immediately.
6. Takes inventory, stocks all supplies, instruments and medications and the ordering of said items.
7. Maintains dental equipment and keeps operatories in good, clean and aseptic condition at all times.
8. Maintains the instruments and working areas in strict accordance with sterilization/disinfection protocols per OSHA or manufacturing guidelines.
9. Performs routine chair side assisting, recording of examination information and treatment performed.
10. Keeps all instruments in good, working order and properly sterilized.
11. Takes primary impression for study models, pours and trims models. Places and removes rubber dams, and places surgical gauze following extractions.
12. Proficient in dental charting for exams and treatment planning.
13. Instructs patient in post-operative care.
14. Enters dental visits into electronic computer system; codes dental visits.
15. Exposes digital radiographs.
16. Performs oral prophylaxis and applies topical fluoride treatments.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned

Secondary Duties and Responsibilities

1. Cross-trained for Dental Center Administrative Coordination coverage as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
2. Strong customer service skills.
3. Knowledge of dental office procedures, etc.
4. Knowledge of dental software packages, MSOffice (Word, Excel), e-mail, internet.
5. Knowledge of ordering procedures, submitting invoices for payment.
6. Knowledge of dental terminology and billing codes for dental services.
7. Knowledge of infection control, blood borne pathogens, appropriate PPE
8. Knowledge of sterilization techniques.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications, Education and Experience

Required:

1. High School Diploma, GED certification or equivalent
2. Successful completion of a dental assistant program
3. Three (3) years’ experience in dental clinical setting.
4. The following license and/or certifications are required prior to employment start date:
   1. Certified Dental Assistant, issued by NM Board of Dental Health Care
   2. CPR card
   3. Dental Radiography;
   4. Rubber cup coronal polishing;
   5. Radiation Health, Safety & Protection
   6. X-Ray Films & Radiographic Film Quality
   7. Radiographic Techniques
   8. Darkroom & Processing Techniques with Film Mounting
   9. Application of Topical Fluoride;
   10. Application of Pit and fissure sealants.
5. Must possess and maintain a valid, unrestricted New Mexico Driver’s License

Licensing Status

1. Must be able to successfully pass a stringent background and character investigation in compliance with PL 101.630.
2. Will require a post-offer, pre-employment and random drug screening.

Working Conditions

1. Work is performed indoors.
2. Work hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday with some overtime and evening meetings required.
3. Subject to hazardous materials which may cause bodily harm: smoke, common colds, influenza, dust, odors and elevated noise levels. 
4. Tasks may be performed on uneven, inclined, hard and soft carpeted floors, cement structures and surfaces.
5. Duties may involve walking, standing for long periods of time, sitting and crouching. 
6. Specific required movements include the following: 

1. Trunk:  bend, twist, rotate, push, pull, and carry.
2. Arms:  reach, carry, push, pull, lift, twist, rotate
3. Legs:  lift, push, pull, twist, rotate
4. Hands:  grasp, manipulate, bilateral coordination, eye and hand coordination, overall and finger dexterity.

Additional Information

Salary:  $15.34 – $19.94 Per Hour

All applicants must be able to demonstrate their US work authorization during the employment verification process.