Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant I

Position Code: E01N Non Exempt
Department: Health Center Operations
Location: Health Centers
Union Exempt: No

Under general supervision, provides a range of clinical, administrative, and staff support to a full‑range dental services operation. Assists in the performance of dental and radiography procedures; prepares and maintains dental equipment and supplies in accordance with established protocol, procedures, policies, and standards; and assists in the coordination of day‑to‑day patient administration, records management, and office support activities.

• Provides chair‑side assistance to dentists and/or dental hygienists in the performance of dental procedures, including operative, preventive, periodontal, endodontic, prosthetic, and/or oral surgical procedures.
• Prepares, sterilizes, organizes, and sets up dental equipment; ensures that all dental instruments are cleaned, dated, and processed according to established clinic guidelines and standards.
• Monitors and maintains dental equipment, such as compressors, evacuator systems, radiographic developing equipment, sterilizers, and light‑curing units, in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines.
• Exposes and processes dental radiographs in accordance with provider orders; assists in the monitoring and maintenance of radiation safety procedures and protocols.
• Follows and maintains all relevant federal, state, and institutional regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards for the provision of dental clinical services.
• Orders and maintains inventories of dental clinic supplies.
• Interacts with and processes dental clinic patients; performs telephone triage, conducts patient interviews, and obtains prior approvals from third‑party payors.
• Maintains dental laboratory slips and creates and maintains dental records in accordance with established protocol and procedures.
• Prepares instruments for sterilization and storage in trays.
• Educates patients based on a sound knowledge of prevention and control of oral diseases; uses various teaching aids to effectively present the information to patients.
• Inventories and orders materials and supplies for the dental clinic.
• Contacts patients by telephone for return visits.
• Takes and pours up dental impressions under direction of a dentist.
• Performs miscellaneous job‑related duties as assigned.

• High School graduate or GED certificate required.
• Graduation from an ADA‑recognized certificate program is preferred.
• Bi‑lingual English/Spanish is preferred.
• Work experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified is strongly preferred.

• Active license from NM Board of Dental Healthcare with certification required in:
  • Dental Radiography
• CPR Certification must be obtained within first 6 months of hire and maintained.

• Ability to work as a team member within a clinical environment.
• Current knowledge of and ability to follow a full range of dental clinical procedures and protocols.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the provision of dental outpatient services.
• Ability to set up and prepare dental equipment and instrumentation in accordance with established regulations and guidelines.
• Knowledge of sterile procedures.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot a wide range of dental equipment in accordance with prescribed procedures and standards.
• Ability to expose and process dental radiographs.
• Knowledge of radiation safety procedures, standards, and protocols.
• Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
• Interviewing skills.
• Knowledge of planning and scheduling techniques.
• Knowledge of patient evaluation and triage procedures.
• Records maintenance skills.
• Knowledge and familiarity with compliance program. Cooperate fully and comply with laws and regulations.

• Time:
  Sufficient to complete most tasks although under pressure depending on patient and organization demands.
• Physical Effort and Dexterity:
  Good dexterity to operate personal computer, and basic medical…