Dental Assistant

Job Title:   Dental Assistant

Department:   Dental Clinic

Work Division/Location:   Dunsmuir

FLSA Status:   Nonexempt

Classification:   Full-time

Reports To:   Dentist

Summary/Objective:  An employee working as Dental Assistant with the McCloud Healthcare Clinic, Inc., provides a range of clinical, administrative and staff support to the Clinic’s dental services operation. Assists in the performance of dental and radiography procedures; prepares and maintains dental equipment and supplies in accordance with established protocol and standards; and assists in the coordination of day-to-day patient administration, records management, and office support.

Essential Functions: 

Under general or direct supervision of the Clinic’s supervising licensed dentist, a registered dental assistant may perform the following duties and procedures:

1. Mouth mirror inspection of the patient’s oral cavity, to include charting of obvious lesions, existing restorations, and missing teeth.
2. Placement and removal of temporary sedative dressings.
3. Dry canals, previously opened by the supervising dentist, with absorbent points.
4. Test pulp vitality. 
5. Place bases and liners on sound dentin.
6. Remove excess cement from supragingival surfaces of teeth with a hand instrument or floss.
7. Size stainless steel crowns, temporary crowns and bands.
8. Fabricate temporary crowns intra-orally.
9. Temporary cement action, removal of temporary crowns.
10. Placement of post-extraction and periodontal dressings.
11. Applying bleaching agents.
12. Activate bleaching agents with non-laser light-curing lights.
13. Take bite registration for diagnostic models for case study only.
14. Coronal polishing.
15. Removal of excess cement from coronal surfaces of teeth under orthodontic treatment by means of an ultrasonic scaler.
16. Other duties as assigned.

All Clinic employees are expected to:

1. Work as a team player to accomplish the goals of the Clinic.
2. Maintain operations by following the Clinic’s policies and procedures, and report perceived need/s for changes.
3. Provide the highest level of service to clients.
4. Maintain confidentiality by following all applicable HIPAA regulations.
5. Respect Clinic equipment used to perform job tasks.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional dental clinic environment with potential exposure to blood and body fluids and other hazardous substances. This role requires the handling of sharp instruments including needles and surgical tools, digital x-rays, as well as sterilization equipment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Travel:

No travel is expected for regular job duties. Travel may occasionally be required for training purposes. If personal vehicle is used for specified job-related errands or travel to/from training events, mileage will be reimbursed as specified in the Employee Handbook. 

Qualifications

Education, Experience, Certifications, Licenses and Registrations:

1. Two years’ experience working in a related position; Direct Dental Assistant experience is strongly preferred.
2. Ability to complete Registered Dental Assistant Exam preferred and recommended within 18 months of employment.
3. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification, or ability to become certified.

Skills and Competencies:

Verbal and written communication proficiency, ethical conduct, flexibility, initiative, ability to multi-task, time management, highly organized, detail orientated. Customer services skills, sensitivity to client needs, remains calm in emergency situations, upholds strict confidentially requirements. Familiarity with computer processes, including word processing and spreadsheet programs. 

Physical Requirements:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing job duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and use hands and fingers.