Expanded Duty Dental Assistant

**Summary:** Under the supervision of the Dental Director, the Certified Dental Assistant renders dental care to patients. The Dental Assistant performs semi-technical dental and routine clerical work in a dental department located in a community health center. Work involves assisting the dentist during examinations and treatment, cleanings, sterilizing, and arranging instruments, and assisting dentist with x-rays. **Primary Responsibilities:** - Completes initial assessment of patient according to department Policy and Procedures and documents appropriately. - Takes and record pulse, blood pressure and temperature. - Notes individual patient's limitations and dental needs. - Reassesses patient according to departmental guidelines and documents appropriately. - Applies the dental process to each patient and implements limited dental actions - Follows plan of care for each patient - Receive dentist orders, records and assures completion. - Assists dentist with exams and procedures. - Documents the care provided to patients, and their reaction to that care. - Recognizes emergency situations and responds appropriately. - Seats and prepares patients adjusts dental chair. - Arranges dental instruments and materials for each patient, assists dentist with instrumentation, medication and management of the patient during treatment procedures. - Assists dentist in the use of highly specialized dental equipment, such as the x-ray machine, aspirator, and amalgamator. - Mixes and prepares solutions and materials for fillings, washes and sterilizes instruments and clean work area following treatment. - Takes radiographs of patients as prescribed by dentist. File x-ray films and case reports. - Charts information dictated by the dentist on the chart such as lesions, missing teeth, etc. - Act as a communication link between dentist and receptionist. - Performs routine dental laboratory work. - Performs routine maintenance of dental equipment, i.e., oiling of hand pieces and contra-angles. - Orders dental and office supplies. - Provides patient, family, significant other teaching as opportunities arise or as need is identified. - Presents group instruction in oral health care utilizing models and audio visual aids. - Conducts oral hygiene instructions with patients and parents of juveniles. - Explains dental care procedures using correct terminology; supplements explanation with reasons why - School Age - Adolescent/Adult - Geriatrics - Utilizes appropriate resources to accommodate age, education, cultural and communication barriers. - Initiates referrals as needed per dentist and appropriate follow-up. - Other duties as assigned. ### Benefits 401k 3% match, 13 paid holidays, PTO, Life and cancer insurance policies, Medical, Dental, Short term and Long disability insurances.