Dental Assistant
Job Summary
The Dental Assistant is a key member of the dental department and is responsible for assisting the professional dental staff with oral health services provided and providing support to the dental front office. Performs fourhanded dentistry and preventive procedures such as dental prophylaxis, fluoride treatment, dental x-rays, dental education, screening and dental sealants. Delivers quality and compassionate care to every patient and interacts with staff and patients in the performance of assigned job duties in an efficient, courteous and effective manner. These functions are to be performed in accordance with the Blue Ridge Medical and Dental Center policies and procedures in consideration of the applicable state and federal regulations including, but not limited to, JCAHO, CLIA, HRSA and OSHA. Performs other duties as assigned by Patient Access Dental Manager?and must demonstrate a sincere dedication and loyalty to the mission, vision and core values of BRMC/BRDC.
Essential Duties
• Builds good rapport with patients to assure patients and responsible parties have a pleasant experience before, during, and after dental treatment is given.
• Demonstrates a positive chair side manner and is efficient with providing a workable patient flow as directed by the Patient Access Dental Manager.
• Educate patients with oral hygiene instructions and provide educational material as appropriate to the care delivered.
• Verify patient?s medical history, medications, allergies, and chief complaint and review medical and social history to include dental and oral hygiene issues prior to dental treatment. Record information in eClinicalWorks (eCW).
• Obtains blood pressure and pulse on patients age 18 and older. Obtains body weight on pediatric patients. Documents all results in electronic
• Performs sterilization of dental instruments, equipment, and operatories in accordance with departmental policy and CDC standards. Maintains competence in the use of various clinical instruments, technologies, machinery, and equipment.
• Practices infection control procedures according to guidelines set by OSHA.
• Performs operatory set-up by instruction or as anticipated for dental procedure.
• Assists professional dental staff in surgical and general dentistry procedures regularly. Obtains dental x-rays as instructed. Anticipatory knowledge and awareness is necessary.
• Documents patient information, treatment plan, procedures, and progress notes in Open Dental as dictated by Dental provider.
• Obtains impressions of patient?s teeth for casts. Prepares materials for impressions. Pour, trim and polish impressions casts. Fabricates custom tray impressions and apply pit and fissure sealants.
• Assists with suctioning, holding retractors, cutting sutures, and other clinical skills during surgical procedures.
• Capable of, and willing to, working the front desk if needed. Cross-trained and readily available to perform the essential duties of the Dental Front Office Clerk position.
• Demonstrates understanding and applies working knowledge of safety policies. Safely performs all duties; follows required protective protocols to ensure personal safety as well the safety of others.
• Attends staff meetings and other training workshops as assigned.
Hospitals and Health Care
Health Care Provider
Full-time