Dental assistant

Position Summary

Assists dentists with patient care and follow‑up, providing direct and indirect patient care in a clinical setting. Duties include preparing the patient for treatment, assisting the dentist in preventive and restorative dentistry and oral surgery, preparing materials and equipment, taking x‑rays, and assisting in laboratory work. Additional duties may include making appointments, ordering supplies, and aiding dental billing.

Reports to the Dental Clinic Manager

Demonstrates ability to carry out skills as outlined in the Dental Policies and Procedures for clinical areas including preparing patients, sterilizing and disinfecting instruments, setting up instrument trays, preparing materials, and assisting the dentist during procedures.

• Greets patients and escorts them to the work area
• Works with patients to make them comfortable in the dental chair and prepares them for treatments and procedures
• Reviews the health history, makes chart entries, and ensures forms are signed and completed
• Sterilizes dental instruments
• Maintains a sterile and neat working environment according to current infection control procedures
• Prepares the work area for patient treatment by setting out instruments and materials
• Ensures clinic areas are stocked at acceptable levels
• Assists the dentist at the chair side as directed
• Hands instruments to the dentist during procedures
• Keeps patients’ mouths dry using suction hoses and other equipment
• Instructs patients in proper dental hygiene and dietary instructions
• Checks equipment daily to ensure accurate functioning
• Exposes, processes, and mounts radiographs
• Charts all completed activities within the patient’s record
• Ensures patient flow is timely and accurate throughout the unit
• Completes billing charges at the end of each treatment

• Coronal polishing
• Sealant application
• Fluoride application
• Topical anesthetic application

• High School Graduate or GED
• Current certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Demonstrated knowledge of dental health education subjects

• Certification as a Registered Dental Assistant
• Expanded Function Licenses
• N2O Certification

Performs all duties in a manner that promotes teamwork and reflects the Community Health Center mission and philosophy. Willingness to work a flexible schedule when circumstances necessitate. Physical demands include lifting, bending, reaching, pushing, carrying, sitting, with normal vision and hearing. Hazardous conditions include exposure to infectious diseases and potential exposure to physical violence. Work in cold/heat controls, close contact with sick patients.

Must work under constant interruption and stay on task.

This job description is intended to provide only basic guidelines for meeting job requirements. Responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities, and working conditions may change as organizational needs evolve.