DENTAL ASSISTANT (BILINGUAL)

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Dental Assistant provides chair-side assistance to a licensed dentist and also performs other clerical duties to support the Clinic.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Retracts patient’s cheek, tongue and other tissue; removes water syringes.
• Takes, exposes, and develops x-rays of the mouth, gums, jaws, and / or teeth.
• Applies topical medications; places rubber dams in patient’s mouth; removes excess cement from and adjacent to crowns, bridges, and orthodontic bands;

places matrix bands; removes and replaces ligature wires; removes sutures.

• Performs dietary and salivary analysis and infection control procedures.
• Demonstrates oral care procedures and techniques; charts patient’s mouth.
• Flushes evacuation system with chemical cleaners.
• Completes reports and maintains records
• Schedules recalls and appointments.
• Orders supplies and equipment and keeps accurate inventory; orders repairs on dental equipment; researches prices and equipment specifications.
• May perform other duties as required.

Expanded Functions

• Practices coronal polishing; mechanically polishes restorations.
• Places and removes temporary restorations.
• Monitors patient while nitrous oxide is being administered.
• Applies pit and fissure sealants.

JOBS THIS POSITION DIRECTLY SUPERVISES

If no supervisory duties, leave blank.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education : High school diploma plus Registered Dental Assistant Program along with Expanded Functions education

Experience : One to two years experience performing fundamental and expanded duties of a certified dental assistant as outlined by the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry;

experience completing dental radiographs and alginate impressions; and experience performing clerical duties associated with a dental office.

Licenses or Certifications : Certified to practice as an expanded function Dental Assistant as stipulated by the Laws and Administrative Rules of the Tennessee State Board of Dentistry.

CPR Certification is required.

Mental Requirements

Level 1 Requires some concentration and normal attention. Generally, once the job is learned, the tasks can be performed more or less automatically.

Level 2 Requires high periods of concentration intermittently and normal attention. Generally, even once the job is learned, tasks will require normal attention to deal with recurring variables.

Level 3 Requires a high level of concentration and high level of attention intermittently. Generally, the approach to tasks may be consistent, but the number of steps required and / or the number of variables involved creates the possibility of errors unless the incumbent pays close attention.

Physical Requirements

Activity

Approximate % of Time

Comments

Sitting

May sit while assisting dentist, working the front desk, or working on computer

Standing

Assisting the dentist, sterilizing instruments, taking x-rays, pulling files

Walking

Greeting patients, taking x-rays, getting supplies

100%

Approximate percentage of time spent lifting, pulling and / or pushing : 15%

Maximum number of pounds required (with or without assistance) : 30 lbs.

Types of objects the incumbent is required to lift / pull / push. Patients in wheelchairs, boxes of supplies, moving the patient chair

Machines and Equipment Used :

Machines, Equipment, Tools

Approximate % of Time

Degree of Hand : Eye Coordination Required

Dental Chairs

High

Dental x-ray machine

High

Computers

High

Dental instruments

High

Autoclave

High

Processor

High

Approximate percentage of time incumbent spends in on-the-job travel , excluding commuting to regular work location : 25% travel between various work sites

Working Conditions

Exposure to fumes from chemicals (developer fixer); intense light under the dental light; exposure to varying weather conditions when traveling between worksites;

exposure to contagious and infectious disease; possible burns from the autoclave.