General Responsibilities

• Assist the dentist during examination and treatment of patients.
• Provide diagnostic aid, including exposing and developing radiographs, taking and recording medical and dental histories, recording vital signs and taking preliminary impressions for study casts as needed.
• Perform prophylaxis and fluoride treatments on children, and give oral hygiene instructions.
• Prepare operatory, instruments, and patient for dental treatment.
• Coordinate arrival and departure of patient with receptionist.
• Properly clean and sterilize (or disinfect when appropriate) instrument equipment, operatory, and laboratory as patient flow or procedures dictate.
• Give post-operative instructions to the patient as prescribed by the dentist.
• Possess a working knowledge of medical emergencies and assist in the management of them.
• Assist dentist in screening and education programs, including off-site.
• Assist the front desk staff when necessary.  Should know how to schedule patients, answer phones, and use the computer.
• Restock operatories as needed.  Order supplies and maintain inventory control as assigned by the Dental Director.
• Responsible for maintenance of autoclave, x-ray developer, and water system as specified intervals.

Qualifications

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Certification of completion of dental assistant training.
• Skilled in written and oral communication.
• Expanded function certification is highly recommended.

Physical / Mental Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; talk or hear, taste or smell.
• The employee frequently is required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.