Dental Assistant

Summary:
Under the direct supervision of the Dentist, assists dentist during examination and treatment of patients. Performs other duties related to general patient dental care and receptionist duties.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for preparing patients for dental treatment. Arranges dental instruments, materials, and medications on chair side tray in the order they are to be used according per scheduled treatment plan.
• Responsible for keeping oral operating areas clear during dental procedures by use of suction devices, water sprays, cotton rolls, and holders.
• Responsible for sterilizing instruments, preparing restorative materials and dental cements, and passes instruments to the dentist.
• Assists in construction of models of teeth and mouth; pours, trims, mounts, and polishes models of plastic or plaster made from impressions taken by the dentist.
• Welcomes and registers patients, assigns new patients a medical chart, records treatment plan, and prepares encounter forms and encounter control logs.
• May determine pulse, respiration, facial coloration, and papillary reflexes of patient under treatment.
• Responsible for scheduling appointments and "walk-ins" according to dental department procedure, contacts patients to remind them of their appointment, and responsible for maintaining a current tracking file for dental patient's follow-up care.
• Assist with clinic flow of patients.
• Responsible for ordering dental supplies, and for maintaining a current dental inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Responsible for performing insurance verification, handling cash flow box, and maintaining daily cash control log and submitting end of day reports to billing supervisor.
• Actively participates in the Quality Management Program.
• Actively participates in the Infection Control Program, Safety Program and Emergency Preparedness Program.
• Responsible for equipment sterilization as assigned and follows safety and infection control policy and procedures
• Responsible for following all Agency safety and health standards, regulations, procedures, policies, and practices.
• Performs other related duties as necessary, which may include assisting the medical, optometry, and billing departments.
• Assist with Dental Assistant coverage at Lincoln Heights and Highland Park as needed.
• Responsible for following the Agency's emergency policies and procedures.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Dental Assistant certificate from a vocational school, or special training program for Dental Assistants.
• Dental X-ray License.
• Minimum two years' experience as a Dental Assistant.
• Typing of 35 wpm, and computer literate.
• Effective verbal and communication skills and bilingual English/Spanish.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical computation.
• Familiarity with the Hispanic culture.
• Ability to work well with others in a team-oriented professional environment.
• High school graduate or G.E.D. certification.
• Current CPR certificate.