Dental Assistant

Job Summary

The Dental Assistant collaborates with dental providers to ensure the highest quality of patient care. Responsibilities include setting up and breaking down room and equipment, preparing patient for treatment, documenting in the electronic dental record, preparing laboratory cases, proper infection prevention practices, other duties as assigned.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparation of tray set-up, sterilization of instruments.
• Passage and receipt of instruments.
• Document treatment related information in patient's electronic chart.
• Mixing cements, amalgam, and impression materials.
• Oral evacuation and retraction.
• Exposing and developing dental radiographs.
• Seating, preparing, and dismissing patients.
• Taking blood pressure and oral temperature.
• Operatory preparation and clean-up.
• Inventory control.
• Routine maintenance of equipment.
• Taking patient medical history.
• Familiar with and follows OSHA standards.
• Maintain HIPAA compliance.
• Answers telephone and gives information to callers; routes call to appropriate personnel and/or takes necessary messages.
• Works closely with providers and staff to maintain needs of the patient while adhering to scheduling protocols.
• Display sensitivity to patient needs.
• Able to handle a fast-paced environment with routine changes to workflow.
• Provides excellent customer service.
• Promotes effective working relations and work effectively as part of a team to facilitate the Clinic's ability to meet its goals and objectives.
• Maintain daily cash balancing and reporting, when working in check-in or check-out.
• Obtain payor source information and verify insurance eligibility.
• Complete patient follow-up calls as directed, provide follow-up to patients to address barriers to care, and answer questions.
• Fill out excuse forms per provider request for patients after they are seen.
• Assist patients with connecting to other resources (i.e. complete Medicaid applications, slide enrollments, payment agreements, etc.).
• Assist patients who have difficulties completing paperwork or understanding information.
• Serve as a continuity figure to patients.

Required Qualifications

• One year experience, education may be substituted for lack of experience
• Basic Life Support (BLS) required, must obtain within first 90 days of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED preferred
• Prefer basic skills certification and expanded functions
• Graduation from a dental assisting program preferred