Dental Assistant

Job Description

Under supervision of a Dentist, provides chair-side assistance during dental examination and treatment. Prepares and sterilizes dental instruments, equipment, and supplies.

Takes and develops x-rays. Maintains clean and orderly condition of dental clinic.

Job Responsibility

1.Checks dental chair and unit and turns on main compressor and suction switches at beginning of shift. Turns off all switches at end of shift.

2.Obtains patient medical record and guides patient to examination room.

3.Prepares patient for dental examination and treatment.

Seats patient comfortably in appropriate position for treatment.

Assists patient in removing dentures, eyeglasses, etc., and stores safely.

Secures a towel around patient's neck prior to dental examination.

Provides a wipe and directs patient to wipe mouth, when necessary.

References patient's medical record for treatment plan to determine appropriate instruments and materials required.

Prepares and places appropriate instruments and materials on dental tray.

Informs Dentist of patient preparedness for examination.

4.Provides chair-side assistance to Dentist during examination and treatment.

Passes instruments, medicaments, and filling materials to Dentist, as required.

Handles evacuator, water and air syringe.

Assists patients with rinsing, as needed.

Takes and processes conventional and / or digital x-rays.

5.Performs post-dental treatment duties.

Assists patient in getting out of dental chair and exam room.

Ensures current treatment activities and any further treatment plans are documented in medical record and approved by Dentist or dental resident.

Ensures encounter form is completed and provided to registration staff for processing.

Cleans exam room and prepares for next patient encounter.

Places used instruments in appropriate cleaning solution in preparation for sterilization.

Cleans, sterilizes, and stores instruments according to established policies and procedures.

6.May review and collect treatment fees from patient and / or set up payment plans, as required.

7. Performs related duties, as required.

Job Qualification

High School Diploma or equivalent, required. Completion of a Dental Assistant program, required.

Licensed as a certified Dental Assistant in New York State OR current sterile processing certification (CRCST or CSPD), preferred.

Minimum of one (1) year dental assistance experience, required.

Additional Salary Detail

The salary range and / or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future.

When determining a team member's base salary and / or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity).