Dental Assistant
Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Dental Manager
Supervises Others: No

Essential Role: Provides dental assistance to complement the dentist\xe2\x80\x99s role of delivering primary dental care services at GraceMed Health Clinic, Inc.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Prepares the patient for treatment, accesses dental records and provides instruments and materials needed during treatment procedures.

• Obtains and/or reviews patient and family history in dental record.

• Chaperones and assists dentists during exams and procedures.

• Returns or receives patient phone calls during office hours; performs triage of patients by phone or in office, assesses dental needs of patient and coordinates appropriate care or interventions and refers to licensed staff or providers as indicated.

• Maintains and stocks exam rooms.

• Cleans and sterilizes equipment and instruments.

• Provides post-treatment and oral health care instruction as requested.

• Takes impressions for study models/crowns/bridges/dentures/partial dentures, and when necessary, pours up models.

• Takes digital xrays as directed by the dentist.

• Maintains clinical equipment and supplies.

• Performs direct patient care within the limits of his/her training and capabilities when the dentist is unavailable.

• Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.

• Assists in the development and documentation of protocols related to his/her job functions.

• Performs other appropriate duties as requested by supervisors.

Qualifications:
Education/Certifications/Licenses/Registration:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Graduate from an accredited Dental Assistant program strongly preferred. Other equivalent certificates or degrees may be considered with the appropriate combined experience.
  • Previous dental office experience preferred.
  • CPR certification required (must be obtained within 30 days of employment).

Experience

• Minimum one-year direct experience in a Dental Assistant role required for candidates with no formal DA education. Previous patient care related experience is preferred for candidates with formal DA education.
• Previous computer experience or training in medical field preferred.

Behavioral

• Understands ethics of confidentiality.
• Successful candidate must submit to TB testing and any vaccinations recommended by OSHA Guidelines.
• Courteous, honest and professional at all times.
• Able to communicate and relate well with dentists and other clinical staff.
• Able to provide innovative input into the development of the office and its processes.
• Able to maintain appropriate certification(s).
• Efficient, organized and accurate.

Work Schedule: Schedules vary. May require overtime depending on patient volumes.

Working Conditions:
Dental office environment. Multi-task oriented position including direct patient care may require sitting or standing for long periods. Bending, stooping, and lifting (up to 50lbs) may be required. Must interact with dentists, dental hygienists, patients and other office personnel. Must possess socio-economic and cultural sensitivity. May involve contact with angry, upset or ill persons. Will involve potential exposure to blood and body fluids and other hazardous substances. Must have visual acuity and manual dexterity to assist with procedures, perform and interpret lab results, and interface with computer. Must have auditory acuity to handle phone calls and extensive patient interaction.

This job description has been examined for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) (May 1995).

The above statement statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.



Confidentiality: As an employee of GraceMed Health Clinic, Inc., you are bound by principles of dental ethics. You have both a legal and moral obligation to protect the privacy of our patients. In the course of your work, you will have access to confidential information regarding patients, and/or the practices\' confidential business. It is essential that you refrain from any discussions regarding personal information about a patient, a patient\'s condition, a patient\'s finances, proprietary company information, and/or the practices\' confidential business with any third person. This includes, but is not limited to, other employees, your spouse, family or friends. CONFIDENTIALITY IS SO IMPORTANT THAT ANY BREACH OF THIS POLICY WILL BE CONSIDERED GROUNDS FOR TERMINATION. Review and signature of the Agreement is a condition of employment.