Dental Assistant

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

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

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 places same in safe place.
• Secures a towel around patient’s neck prior to dental examination.
• Provides a wipe and directs patient to wiping of lipstick, 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 doctor of patient preparedness for examination.

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

• Passes instruments, medicaments and filling materials to doctor, 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 duties at the completion of the dental treatment :

• 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 dental resident and attending doctor.
• 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 dental assistant program, preferred.
• Licensed as a certified Dental Assistant in New York State, required.
• Must have a valid permit and become Licensed as a Certified dental Assistant within one (1) year of employment.
• Current sterile processing certification (CRCST or CSPD), required.

Must complete ten (10) hours of sterile processing continuing education credits annually (recertification credits can be applied to this total).

• 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).