Dental Assistant 1

JOB TITLE: Dental Assistant FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt DEPARTMENT: Dental SUPERVISED BY: Lead Dental Assistant Dental Assistant Supervisor Director - Dental Clinical Operations

I. POSITION FUNCTION SUMMARY

The Dental Assistant performs those duties which assist the Dentist and Dental Hygienist in the care and treatment of patients and duties to support reception, inventory and maintaining dental records. Provides technical assistance to providers during clinical care. Performs such duties as preparing the patient for dental treatment, assisting the dentist at the chair in preventive, restorative dentistry and/or oral surgery, preparing materials and setting up the correct equipment for the dentist's use. The Dental Assistant sterilizes instruments, performs dental X-rays, and assists the dentist in laboratory work. He/she also establishes a friendly, warm atmosphere for the patients and parents, keeping them calm and at ease as much as possible.

II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This position may have various work assignments within HICHC. This description is intended to be generic in nature, and as such it does not detail all the duties and responsibilities of the particular job assignment. Various duties, responsibilities and accountabilities may be assigned to an incumbent in this position depending on the specific job assignment, and may include but not be limited to the following:

Required Duties

• He/she also establishes a friendly, warm atmosphere for the patients and parents, keeping them calm and at ease as much as possible.

• Aids the Dentist or Dental Hygienist in the administration of treatment through four-handed practices at chairside:

o Assures that all instruments, electronic charting, and radiographs are available in the operatory prior to the arrival of the patient.

o Provides proper instruments, at the correct time, in proper sequence for any given treatment procedure.

o Prepares dental materials correctly, as needed, and in an amount appropriate to meet the needs of the procedure but as not to allow wasting of materials.

o Anticipates the sequence of dental procedures and is prepared in advance so that the dentist may work as efficiently as possible.

• Promotes an atmosphere supportive of good dental and general health for HICHC’s patients

o Demonstrates good personal hygiene as an example to our patients and parents.

o Interviews each patient/parent/guardian to ascertain home care status, either during breaks in the treatment or prior to the dentist's arrival.

o May be asked to instruct patients in techniques of flossing, brushing, and disclosing to help remedy any concerns detected in home care.

o Completes questionnaire on caries risk assessment w/ parents/guardian and promotes self-management.

o Documents goals for the next visit as directed by the Dentist.

o Promotes and supports the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) primary care model.

• Maintains a sterile and neat working environment

o All chairside clean-up/set up procedures are completed before any patient is seated.

o The dental operatory is sterilized or disinfected before any patient is seated in accordance to OSHA.

o Cleans and sterilizes instruments.

o Performs routine cleaning and maintenance on sterilization area and work areas.

o Hand washing will take place immediately prior to seating every patient.

• Reviews patient health history, inputs chart entries under the direction of the provider, and completes consent forms

o The date of the health history review and any changes are entered on the treatment page and initialed/verified by the assistant.

o All exam findings and treatments rendered are recorded completely and accurately in the patient's chart.

o Clinical information entered in the electronic health record is completed by the dental assistant.

o Patients are dismissed with necessary records complete.

• Assumes the responsibilities associated with any expanded duties that may be delegated by the dentist

o Accepts delegation of only those duties within their personal skill levels.

o Exposes and processes radiographs as directed by the prescribing Dentist.

o Pours and trims models and performs other lab duties.

o Accurately records information in patient records.

o Helps to identify related medical and/or social problems.

o Maintains inventory of supplies and materials as well as maintaining thorough and accurate documentation of inventory.

• Acquaints the patient with the aspects of his/her dental visit and provides support and compassion to the patient when it is needed.

III. POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

Requirements of Position

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience

• High School graduate or GED certificate required.

• Previous dental assistant experience preferred, but not required.

• Must have a desire to work with infants, children, adolescents and their families.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability and willingness to learn.

• Ability and desire to uphold the mission of the Hawaiʻi Island Community Health Center.

o To make quality, comprehensive, and integrated health services accessible to all regardless of income. These services will be culturally sensitive and will promote community well-being through the practice of “malama pono.”

• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication with patients and coworkers.

• A desire to expand abilities.

• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

• Ability to prepare and maintain charts, records, logs and reports.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with patients and staff.

Personal Characteristics

Personal characteristics to include: a team player, high integrity, solution-oriented, communication and customer relations skills, regular work attendance, courteous and friendly, able to work well with diverse groups of people, and gain and maintain respect of others.

Confidential and Sensitive Information

Because the employee has access to personal and professional data regarding individual employees and

their families, personal data regarding individual patients and the families, and/or sensitive company financial data, an essential job result is the maintenance of a high level of confidentiality of the information processed by the employee. Violation of this confidence may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

IV. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS/WORKING CONDITIONS

General Remarks: The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential tasks and functions.

Working Conditions: Dental Clinic environment with possible exposure to airborne and bloodborne pathogens

Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. There are no known environmental hazards on the premises. Work environment is often stressful. Work is mostly inside, and normal office worker safety precautions and practices are required. Incumbent may be exposed to patients' conditions and some-unpleasant sights, smells and contagious diseases including virus, disease and infection from patients and specimens in working environment. All employees are offered the opportunity to receive the Hepatitis B vaccination series.

Equipment Use: Frequent use of telephone system and office equipment including but not limited to computer, printer, facsimile machine, copier, and general office supplies. Occasional use of wheelchair, gurney and other assisted devices for patient transfers in the clinic.

Work Hours: 40 hours per week. Overtime may be required.

Mental Demands: Duties require attention to detail, alertness, problem solving, tolerance to stress and exercising sound judgment. Duties require high tolerance and adequate coping skills for dealing with loss, grief and bereavement. Good stress reduction and management skills are essential.

V. REMARKS

The foregoing position description is not all-inclusive of the duties that may be assigned to the employee. In order to ensure maximum flexibility and efficiency and to encourage cross training, employees will be assigned additional duties as deemed necessary or desirable by HICHC.

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