Overview of the Position:

Under the general supervision of a Dentist in a clinical setting, assists the dentist in providing dental treatment while managing patients pre/post operatively.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED. CPR certification.

• Certified Dental Assistant preferred and/or Radiation Safety Exam Certificate via SCDA.

• Previous chairside assisting in general dentistry for 2+ years preferred.

Required Skills / Abilities:

• Ability to set up and prepare dental materials and instrumentation per established regulations and guidelines.

• Communicates thoroughly both pre-operative and post-operative procedures.

• Ability to manage the dental office infection control plan to meet SC regulatory standards.

• Ability to properly expose digital radiographs utilizing the least amount of x-ray exposure to the patient and staff.

• Knows and operates under the specifications stated by SCDA

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Exempt

Essential Job Functions:

• Conducts pre-operative intake processes such as vital readings, reviews the medical history, and provides procedural information.

• Appropriately establishes needs for patient treatment set-up which includes barriers, instrumentation, and materials; has X-rays and critical data readily available for the provider.

• Takes and prepares radiographs using digital technology with minimal cone cutting, shortening or elongation, and other improper qualities that would render an image non-diagnostic.

• Provides proper 4-handed dentistry techniques chairside to assist the Dentist and anticipates the provider’s needs while also effectively managing the needs of the patient.

• At the conclusion of patient care, assist the patient with clear post-operative instructions and walks the patient to the front office for a soft handoff.

• Monitors the flow of laboratory cases, referrals and follow up communication.

• Monitors and records sterilization cycles on Sterilization Logs.

• Maintains and inventories supplies in designated operatory, and in supply overhead. Rotates stock, monitors for expired product.

• Helps to manage patient flow in the clinic by reviewing the schedule and anticipating where assistant needs may be required.

• Cleans and sterilizes all instruments; helps to manage the dental office infection control plan to meet regulatory standards.

• Participates in the ongoing evaluation of Dental Program operations to assure the delivery of high-quality services that support the financial sustainability of the program.

• Assists with dental charting during operative and hygiene appointments, which may include periodontal charting.

• Assists in the prevention and management of dental emergencies;

• Takes high-quality impressions, pours models with no bubbles, properly trims models, polishes dental prostheses, and makes vac-u-press forms.

• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Performance expectations—Certified Dental Assistants:

• Polish the patient’s teeth to remove stains and soft deposits

• Apply topical fluoride/varnishes and sealants

• Remove surgical sutures

• Place and remove packing cord

• Fabricate temporary crowns

• Place topical medications

• Remove excess cement from fabricated restoration and orthodontic bands.

Physical Requirements:

Hearing: Adequate to perform job duties in person and over the telephone. Must be able to tolerate high pitched noises from handpieces and other dental equipment. Speaking: Must be able to communicate clearly to patients in person and over the telephone. Vision: Visual acuity adequately to perform job duties, including reading information from printed sources and computer screens. Other: Requires occasional lifting and carrying items weighing up to 10 pounds unassisted in normal daily activities and up to 30 lbs. for other required work activities. Additionally, requires frequent bending, reaching, and repetitive hand movements (especially if keyboarding and writing), standing, walking, squatting, and sitting, with some lifting, pushing, and pulling exerted regularly throughout a regular work shift.

Schedulle: Monday-Thursday 7:30am-4:30pm with lunch from 1pm-2pm and Fridays 7:30am-1:30pm

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