Dental Assistant

Summary:

 The dental assistant will serve an integral role in assisting patients of Grace Dental to achieve and maintain optimal oral health. The dental assistant will provide educational and clinical services, as well as perform clerical and maintenance tasks to ensure quality, efficient care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Patient Interaction:
  • Monitoring schedule to maintain efficient patient flow
  • Politely ushering patients from waiting area to treatment area
  • Preparing patients for treatment (chair positioning, napkin placement, providing patient protective eyewear, etc.)
  • Providing pre-operative and post-operative instructions
  • Addressing patient’s chief complaint and any questions/concerns raised
  • Helping patient feel comfortable before, during, and after dental treatment
  • Guiding parents and patients through the process before treatment
  • Teaching patients appropriate oral hygiene strategies to maintain oral health
  • Initiates referrals as needed per dentist and arranges appropriate follow-up
  • Acts as a communication link between dentist and front desk
  • Providing superior customer service to all patients
  • Recognizing and responding to basic medical and dental emergencies
  • Monitoring patient while nitrous oxide is being administered
  • Maintaining patient confidentiality through HIPAA compliance 
  • Advocating for Grace Health and its respective mission
  • Participating in local community affairs and events including school screenings, presentations, events, and any opportunity to promote a positive image of Grace Health
• Chairside and Expanded Duties Assisting:
  • Preparing operatory for planned or emergency dental procedures
  • Documenting oral examinations, including reviewing/updating medical and dental history
  • Taking blood pressure and pulse measurements when needed
  • Obtaining radiographic images using appropriate technique, as requested by dentist
  • Keeping all operatories appropriately stocked with needed supplies and instruments
  • Maintaining and sterilizing all equipment and instruments according to manufacturer and clinic guidelines
  • Cleaning clinic’s evacuation system according to equipment guidelines
  • Properly disposing of hazardous and infectious waste per policy
  • Assisting dentist with a variety of treatment procedures using four-handed dentistry
  • Maintaining field of operation during dental procedures using retraction, suction, irrigation, drying, etc.

• • Following universal precautions
  • Taking impressions (preliminary and final) and fabricating diagnostic casts
  • Performing other duties as assigned by dentist or supervisor
• Office Management:
  • Performing office management tasks
  • Maintaining equipment records for maintenance and operational purposes
  • Ordering clinical supplies
  • Cross training with front desk to provide coverage as needed
  • Completing laboratory authorization forms
  • Preparing dental lab boxes and labeling for mailing
  • Developing system to manage lab cases and deliveries
  • Performing other duties as assigned by management

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to assist in advancing Grace Health’s mission and to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

SKILLS:

Basic computer skills are required. Experience with Dentrix software is preferred. Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel preferred.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

High school diploma. Completion of dental assisting program preferred.
1 year of dental assisting preferred.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Radiography certificate
• Current CPR certificate
• Completion of dental assisting program certificate preferred

BENEFITS:

• Safe harbor 401(k) with match potential
• Paid time off
• Family friendly work environment
• Health insurance
  • Wellness program
  • Health savings account
  • Pharmacy benefit
  • Employee visits for medical services
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life Insurance
• STD/LTD
• EAP & Work life services
• Voluntary benefits
• Hospital indemnity

Grace Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.