Pediatric Dental Assistant

Overview

Reports to: Practice Manager

Responsible for assisting the dentist in the clinical treatment of patients.

Patient management:

• Greet patients with they sign in and monitor arrival time.
• Set up treatment rooms for procedures.
• Escort patients to treatment rooms.
• Seat patients in treatment rooms.
• Show care and concern, and help patients feel comfortable.
• Obtain and review health histories, weight, height according to office protocol.
• Ensure patients are always attended.
• Anticipate and assist dentists needs.
• Take radiographs as directed by dentist.
• Mix dental materials.
• Perform dental assisting functions and other tasks ass assigned by dentist.
• Ensure patients questions are answered thoroughly before they leave.
• Chart patients, services rendered and any charges.
• Endure proper treatment notes are recorded in patient chart.
• Escort patient from the treatment room.
• Perform clinical procedures as practice act allows and as directed by dentist.
• Give patient instruction and demonstrate when necessary (OHI, Pre-op, post-op, etc).
• Monitor patient flow.

• Keep dental units ready, stocked, and clean.
• Oversee cleanliness of the treatment room according to sterilization procedures.
• Disinfect treatment rooms according to OSHA regulations.
• Sterilize all instruments and handpieces according to OSHA regulations.
• Keep trays, instruments, and treatment room drawers organized.
• Ensure that office sterilization procedures document is on display.
• Promptly send out and monitor all dental laboratory cases.
• Implement the preventative maintenance/cleaning schedule for dental equipment.
• Maintain dental office emergency kits.
• Follow laboratory procedures according to office protocol.

• Securely store and handle patient records in compliance with state and federal requirements including HIPAA privacy and security regulations.
• Accurately file/scan patient information.
• Track cases and referrals to and from other doctors.
• Assist in the administration of the recall system.

• Monitor inventory and other dental office supplies as needed.
• Ensure that treatment rooms are stocked at all times.

• Help in other areas of the office when necessary (ie answering phones, unpacking supplies, completing insurance forms, scanning documents).
• Be an active participant in team meetings.
• Promote team concept by interacting with others in the dental office.
• Be a part of the on call telephone sharing group to screen emergency calls.

Education/experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate of accredited dental assisting program or dental assisting experience preferred but not required.
• Compliance with state dental practice requirements (Radiology certification, OSHA training).
• Computer skills in dental software.
• Commitment to career development.

Interpersonal:

• Good interpersonal skills to maintain effective rapport with patients, dentists, other staff members and community.
• Effective verbal skills to communicate with patients and staff.